A group of 36 Nomads golfers – 24 New Zealanders and 12 Australians – gathered in Queenstown for the club’s annual South Island tour. Over four outstanding days of golf, camaraderie, and classic Trans-Tasman banter, the group enjoyed some of the finest courses New Zealand has to offer.

Day 1 – Queenstown Golf Club

The trip began at the iconic Queenstown Golf Club on the Kelvin Peninsula. Framed by Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, the course was presented in excellent condition and immediately set the standard for the week. The opening round saw friendly rivalry ignite as teams settled in.

Dinner followed in the clubhouse, where tales of heroic shots, near misses, and ambitious lines quickly became more impressive with each retelling.

Winner – Chris Gagiano – 39 points

Runner Up – Bruce Fenton – 39 points

Internationals 5.5 v Kiwis 3.5

Day 2 – Millbrook Resort (Coronet Course)

Day two took the Nomads to Millbrook’s Coronet Course. Rolling terrain, pristine fairways, and challenging greens rewarded accuracy and composure. The field began to spread slightly, though pride and bragging rights remained keenly contested.

Winner – Wayne Scholtz – 38 points

Runner Up – Philip Stickland – 37 points

Internationals 4 v Kiwis 5

Day 3 – Cromwell Golf Club

Cromwell Golf Club provided a contrasting Central Otago challenge, with firmer conditions and wide-open landscapes encouraging bold play. Some capitalised, others paid the price, but spirits remained high heading into the final evening.

The day concluded with dinner at the Bannockburn Hotel, where excellent hospitality, food, and local wines capped off one of the trip’s most enjoyable nights.

Winner – John Philpott – 46 points

Runner Up – Glenn Wilson – 41 points

Internationals 5 v Kiwis 12

Overall Internationals 14.5 v Kiwis 20.5

Day 4 – Jack’s Point

The final round at Jack’s Point delivered a dramatic conclusion. Set beneath the Remarkables, the course demanded accuracy and nerve. Despite tired legs, the quality of golf remained high and the setting ensured a memorable finish to the week.

Winner – Josh McDonald – 38 points

Runner Up – Chris Gagiano – 37 Points

Final Results

Bruce Aitkin – 149

Bruce Genton – 144

Joshua Mc Donald – 143

Chris Gagiano – 139

John Pholpott – 139

Trip Highlights

Overall honours were claimed by Bruce Aitkin, whose consistent performances across the week were rewarded accordingly.