Speedgolf: World's fastest golfer takes on top field for national title

Ireland's Rob Hogan is entered in the field. Pictured on the back page is last year's winner Landyn Edwards.

Hit, run, repeat.

It's not the usual game plan for most golfers, but that's exactly how players will approach the New Zealand Speedgolf Open in Rotorua this weekend.

The New Zealand Speedgolf Open is returning to the Rotorua Golf Club tomorrow and Sunday after the inaugural event was staged last year.

The lung-busting, alternative sport sees participants play a full round of golf in the shortest amount of time possible. A player's score is then calculated by adding the time taken (in minutes) with their golf score.

Local golfer Landyn Edwards took out the inaugural tournament last year, with a score of 119, beating Olympic silver medallist and 1500m runner Nick Willis to the title. Edwards is returning again this weekend but will face even tougher competition this time around.

The current world champion Rob Hogan is entered in the field - which currently numbers about 30 - fresh off winning his latest world title in the United States.

Event organiser Jason Cameron said they were rapt to have Hogan competing and it should make for some good competition.

"Three of the top four men from last year are coming back with the exception of Nick Willis. And we have the winning woman from last year, Liz McKinnon," he said.

"Obviously this is a game that is still gaining traction in New Zealand but we have had quite an increase from last year [in terms of entries]."

Cameron said it was an appealing alternative to traditional golf.

"I see huge potential for the game. It is a great way to get new people into the sport.

"We know Nick Willis [who took part last year] plays the game because he did not have four or five hours to walk around the course."

Qualifying is being held tomorrow with the proper competition being played on Sunday.

People can still enter by emailing speedgolfnz@ gmail.com.