Olsen (30), a teacher at Balmacewen Intermediate who has a background in athletics and plays golf off a six handicap, finished behind Bay of Plenty representative Landyn Edwards and Olympic 1500m silver medallist Nick Willis at the par-70 Rotorua Golf Club last weekend.
The field of 21 included former New Zealand golf representative Phil Aickin and European Ladies Tour member Liz McKinnon.
Both made it through to the elite final, where the field was cut to 12.
The formula to decide the championship was simple, combining time and total shots for a final total.
''The format was great. It means you have to be fit but also play golf to a high level,'' Olsen said.
''There was one guy that shot 72 but took 66 minutes, so he wasn't a factor. The best man won - to shoot 1-under-par and get round in 50 minutes was a very solid effort.''
Olsen went into the event with ''lofty expectations'' but found the going tough during the qualifying round.
He fired an 84 in a time of 50min 28sec, leaving him in seventh place on a score of 134.28.
However, he saved his best for the final, shaving four shots off his score and just under 5min off his time for a total of 125.56.
While his 8-over-par 80 was only the sixth best round in the final, his time of 45min 56sec was the second-fastest behind Willis, who blazed around the Rotorua course in 38min flat and recorded a 12-over-par 84 for a total score of 122.
Olsen's strategy was simple: keep the ball in play and be conservative on the putting green.
He said the greens were the fastest he had played on, and he struggled to avoid three-putting some of them.
''When I was running after my ball, I was trying to sort out the shot I needed to play. I would look for the 135m or 100m marker then have 5sec over the ball, then pull the trigger.''
Edwards was in a league of his own around his home course, being the only player to break par in 50min 34sec for a winning score of 119.34.
There is a fine line between golfing ability and fitness but Olsen feels he has plenty of room to improve in both aspects, as well as his club selection.
''I didn't really do any special training for the event. I just continued jogging two or three times a week and had been getting out for two rounds of nine-hole speed golf after work.
''I need to be running faster. More time training and getting into decent 5km shape will really help. Also, practising putting with my hybrid will mean one less club as well as short-game practice. I lost a lot of shots around the green.''
It is hoped the tournament will grow in stature.
With Rotorua locked in for three years, Olsen is keen to return next year and hopefully convince a few of his mates to compete.
He is now considering a trip to the world championships, providing he can find some funding.
- Michael Minty
