New Zealand Amateur

The New Zealand Amateur is the national amateur golf championship of New Zealand. It has been played annually since 1893, except for the war years and the COVID-19 pandemic, and is organised by New Zealand Golf.

Currently the event is played over five days and consists of a 36-hole stroke-play qualifying stage after which the leading 32 play five rounds of match-play. The final is over 36 holes.

History The first tournament was organised by Otago Golf Club "open to members of any recognised New Zealand club" held on 30 November and 1 and 2 December 1893, "for the amateur championship of the colony." 16 players entered, primarily from the home club. Two rounds were played on the first day, with the semi-finals on the second morning. The final was played on the third morning between two members of the Otago club, James Somerville and Henry Rose. Somerville won the first four holes but Rose won the next three. Somerville then won five of the next seven to win 6&4. Somerville had only recently arrived in New Zealand, having graduated from Edinburgh University in 1891.

The first championship meeting was held at Christchurch Golf Club in July 1894, with the amateur championship being the main event. The championship was played from 24 to 26 July with two rounds on each of the first two days and the final on the third afternoon. The final was between Hugh MacNeil and James Scott, both from the Otago club, and resulted in an easy win for MacNeil by a score of 7&6.

The 1895 championship meeting was held in the North Island for the first time, at Hutt Golf Club near Wellington, although there were suggestions that it should be played at the newly-opened Wellington Golf Club at Miramar. Until World War I, the venue generally alternated between the north and south islands.

In 1900, Arthur Duncan became the first multiple winner, having also won in 1899. He beat Hugh MacNeil, also a previous winner, in the final. In 1901, Duncan won for the third successive year, winning the final by a score of 9 & 7, the first final to be played over 36 holes. Duncan won again in 1905, while Spencer Gollan became the second multiple winner in 1906, having previously won in 1902. The inaugural New Zealand Open was played in 1907 and the 36-hole event was won by Arthur Duncan who won his fifth Amateur Championship a few days later.

Up to 1907 the event was a pure match-play event. However, with the expansion of the New Zealand Open to 72 holes and the increasing number of entries, a change was made in 1908. The final two rounds of the Open acted as qualifying rounds for the Amateur Championship, after which the leading 32 players played 5 rounds of match-play.

in the period before World War I, Arthur Duncan continued his success in the event, winning in 1909, 1911 and 1914, and he remained undefeated in the final, having won all 8 of those he had reached. He won by a record margin of 11 & 10 in 1911 and repeated the feat in 1914. The other successful player in this period was Bernard Wood who was runner-up in 1910 and then won twice in succession, 1912 and 1913.

Up to 1963, the amateur championship continued as part of the championship meeting, with the New Zealand Open acting as the qualifying event. However, from 1964 the amateur championship, open champion and New Zealand PGA Championship were separated. From 1964, the amateur championship had it own 36-hole qualification stage, the winner receiving the St Andrews Salver. From 1983 until 2011 the qualification was extended to 72 holes and became the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship. From 2012 the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship was run as a separate 72-hole event, while the amateur championship returned to having a 36-hole qualification stage.

Winners YearWinnerScoreRunner-upVenueRef. 2025 Mitchell Kale 1 up Isaac Steel Invercargill GC 2024 Cooper Moore 1 up Robby Turnbull Titirangi GC 2023 Sebastian May 6 & 5 Steven Van Heerden Hamilton GC 2022 Jasper Stubbs 6 & 5 Mitchell Kale Otago GC 2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 James Hydes 3 & 2 Charlie Smail Poverty Bay GC 2019 Sam Jones 4 & 3 Mitchell Kale Remuera GC 2018 Charlie Smail 5 & 4 Kerry Mountcastle Wairakei GC 2017 Daniel Hillier (2) 10 & 9 Tom Parker Russley GC 2016 Louis Dobbelaar 2 & 1 Peter Spearman-Burn Royal Wellington GC 2015 Daniel Hillier 6 & 5 Sam Vincent Titirangi GC 2014 Joshua Munn 37 holes Tae Koh Nelson GC 2013 Kadin Neho 3 & 2 Ryan Chisnall Manawatu GC 2012 Vaughan McCall 6 & 5 Peter Lee Mount Maunganui GC 2011 Mathew Perry 4 & 2 Steven Heyes Russley GC 2010 Matt Jager (2) 7 & 6 Brad Kendall Hastings GC 2009 Matt Jager 6 & 5 Nicol van Wyk Titirangi GC 2008 Thomas Spearman-Burn 4 & 2 Kevin Smith Paraparaumu Beach GC 2007 Danny Lee 7 & 5 Nick Gillespie Hamilton GC 2006 Andrew Green 1 up Mitchell Brown Coringa CC 2005 Mitchell Brown 1 up Andrew Dodt Manawatu GC 2004 Gavin Flint 5 & 4 Jarrod Lyle Taupo GC 2003 James Nitties 3 & 2 Hamish Robertson Chisholm Park GC 2002 Marcus Fraser 2 & 1 Eddie Lee Auckland GC 2001 Ben Gallie 37 holes Matthew Peter Mount Maunganui GC 2000 Eddie Burgess 5 & 3 Andrew Webster Christchurch GC 1999 Andrew Duffin 8 & 7 Carl Brooking Remuera GC 1998 Bryce MacDonald 4 & 2 Trevor Immelman Paraparaumu Beach GC 1997 Chris Johns Reon Sayers Harewood GC 1996 David Somervaille Karl Kitchingham Napier GC 1995 Simon Bittle Manawatu GC 1994 Paul Fitzgibbon 3 & 1 Richard Best Hamilton GC 1993 Phil Tataurangi 6 & 4 Rob Elkington New Plymouth GC 1992 Richard Lee Otago GC 1991 Lucas Parsons 2 & 1 Grant Moorhead Poverty Bay GC 1990 Michael Long David Podlich Nelson GC 1989 Lester Peterson 6 & 4 Tony Christie Taupo GC 1988 Bradley Hughes 2 up Lester Peterson North Shore GC 1987 Owen Kendall 3 & 2 Geoff Stephens Waitikiri GC 1986 Peter O'Malley 3 & 1 Stephen Taylor Hutt GC 1985 Gerard Power 7 & 6 Michael Barltrop Mount Maunganui GC 1984 Jeff Wagner 2 & 1 Tony Dight St. Clair GC 1983 Colin Taylor 2 & 1 Ted McDougall Titirangi GC 1982 Ian Peters 2 & 1 Roger Mackay Manawatu GC 1981 Terry Cochrane 39 holes Phil Aickin Timaru GC 1980 Paul Hartstone 38 holes Colin Taylor Lochiel GC 1979 John Durry (4) 1 up John Finn Paraparaumu Beach GC 1978 Frank Nobilo 9 & 8 Peter Maude Hastings GC 1977 Terry Pulman (2) 9 & 8 Bruce Taylor Russley GC 1976 Terry Pulman 4 & 3 Stuart Reid New Plymouth GC 1975 Stuart Reese 10 & 9 Stephen Barron Nelson GC 1974 Rodney Barltrop 3 & 1 Ken Hankin Manukau GC 1973 Mike Nicholson 7 & 6 Owen Kendall Springfield GC 1972 Ross Murray 4 & 3 Michael Barltrop Waitikiri GC 1971 Stuart Jones (7) 38 holes Ian MacDonald Hutt GC 1970 Ted McDougall (2) 5 & 4 Robin Dailey Manawatu GC 1969 Graham Stevenson 2 & 1 Ted McDougall Nelson GC 1968 Bruce Stevens 4 & 3 A L Day Titirangi GC 1967 John Durry (3) 37 holes Stuart Jones Hastings GC 1966 Stuart Jones (6) 8 & 7 Toby Richards Russley GC 1965 John Durry (2) 7 & 5 Ray Atkinson Miramar GC 1964 Stuart Jones (5) 37 holes Ted McDougall Hamilton GC 1963 John Durry 6 & 5 Ross Murray Wanganui GC 1962 Stuart Jones (4) 6 & 4 John Stern Titirangi GC 1961 Stuart Jones (3) 2 & 1 Ross Newdick New Plymouth GC 1960 Ross Newdick 8 & 7 Ian Woodbury Invercargill GC 1959 Stuart Jones (2)5 & 4 John Durry Paraparaumu Beach GC 1958 Walter Godfrey 2 & 1 Guy Horne Hamilton GC 1957 Ted McDougall 5 & 4 W. W. Smith Manawatu GC 1956 Peter Toogood 3 & 2 Bob Charles Christchurch GC 1955 Stuart Jones 3 & 2 Tim Woon Auckland GC 1954 Tim Woon (4) 3 & 2 Bob Charles Wellington GC 1953 Tim Woon (3) 6 & 4 Ron Timms Otago GC 1952 Harry Berwick 7 & 6 Jack Coogan Wanganui GC 1951 Tim Woon (2) 7 & 6 M J Thornton Titirangi GC 1950 Tim Woon 9 & 7 Tony Gibbs Christchurch GC 1949 Joe Holden 6 & 5 Denny Sutherland Hastings GC 1948 Tony Gibbs 2 & 1 Bob Glading Otago GC 1947 Bryan Silk (3) 2 & 1 Bill Edgar New Plymouth GC 1946 Guy Horne 4 & 3 Bert Reilly Manawatu GC1940–1945 No tournament due to World War II 1939 John Hornabrook (3) 2 & 1 Arthur Kitto Miramar GC 1938 Pax Smith 4 & 3 Bert Reilly Otago GC 1937 Bryan Silk (2) 9 & 8 Arthur Kitto Hamilton GC 1936 John Hornabrook (2) 6 & 5 Leslie Cathro New Plymouth GC 1935 John Hornabrook 5 & 4 Bryan Silk Christchurch GC 1934 Bryan Silk 5 & 4 Jack Mortland Wanganui GC 1933 Pip Wright 12 & 11 Harold Black Titirangi GC 1932 Rana Wagg (2) 37 holes Bill Horton Wellington GC 1931 Rana Wagg 2 & 1 Arthur Duncan Christchurch GC 1930 Harold Black 6 & 4 Jack Black Manawatu GC 1929 Sloan Morpeth (3) 37 holes Jack Black Wanganui GC 1928 Bill Horton (2) 1 up Jack Black Otago GC 1927 Sloan Morpeth (2) 6 & 5 Bill Horton Hamilton GC 1926 Arthur Duncan (10) 6 & 5 Leo Quin Miramar GC 1925 Bill Horton 9 & 8 Arthur Duncan Christchurch GC 1924 Leo Quin 8 & 7 Jack Goss Auckland GC 1923 Jack Goss 1 up Arthur Duncan Wanganui GC 1922 Arthur Duncan (9) 10 & 9 Bill Horton Manawatu GC 1921 Alex Sime 5 & 4 Jack Black Christchurch GC 1920 Sloan Morpeth 8 & 6 Kenneth Ross Hamilton GC 1919 Hugh Crosse 38 holes Arthur Duncan Napier GC1915–1918 No tournament due to World War I 1914 Arthur Duncan (8) 11 & 10 Jack Harold Auckland GC 1913 Bernard Wood (2) 5 & 4 Kenneth Ross Otago GC 1912 Bernard Wood 6 & 5 Harold Wright Wellington GC 1911 Arthur Duncan (7) 11 & 10 Gordon Dodgshun Wanganui GC 1910 Harold Lusk 2 up Bernard Wood Christchurch GC 1909 Arthur Duncan (6) 3 & 1 John Burns Auckland GC 1908 Hamilton Smith 3 & 1 Harold Lusk Otago GC 1907 Arthur Duncan (5) 10 & 9 Harold Lusk Napier GC 1906 Spencer Gollan (2) 8 & 7 William Harman Christchurch GC 1905 Arthur Duncan (4) 5 & 4 Kenneth Duncan Auckland GC 1904 Arthur Fisher 3 & 2 George MacEwan Otago GC 1903 Kurupo Tareha 3 & 1 Edward Nicolaus Napier GC 1902 Spencer Gollan 3 & 1 Charles Gillies Christchurch GC 1901 Arthur Duncan (3) 9 & 7 Wilfred Colbeck Auckland GC 1900 Arthur Duncan (2) 3 & 1 Hugh MacNeil Otago GC 1899 Arthur Duncan 5 & 4 Norman Perston Wellington GC 1898 William Pryde 5 & 4 Edmond Wilder Christchurch GC 1897 David Pryde 4 & 2 Ross Gore Auckland GC 1896 Stanley Todd 2 up Hugh MacNeil Otago GC 1895 George Gosset 5 & 3 Edmond Wilder Hutt GC 1894 Hugh MacNeil 7 & 6 James Scott Christchurch GC 1893 James Somerville 6 & 4 Henry Rose Otago GC Early finals were over 18 holes but all finals since 1901 have been over 36 holes.

Source:

New Zealand Amateur

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