Speed to the fore

PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Using just a driver, 7-iron and sand wedge, speedgolf champion Rob Hogan completed 18 holes at Taieri Lakes Golf Course on Monday in just 41 minutes.

Playing off the white tees, the scratch golfer completed the par 72 course in 79 shots, which included a penalty after losing his ball on the first hole.

He carried his clubs on a holster around his waist and used the sand wedge as a putter.

In New Zealand, as a guest of Iscar Plus, Hogan, from Ireland, is a professional golfer and a two-time speedgolf world champion (2013 and 2015).

He is the 2022 Irish and 2022 British champion and placed third at last year’s Speedgolf World Championships — which was won by New Zealander Jamie Reid.

This weekend, Hogan will get another chance to compete against Reid at the New Zealand Speedgolf Open at the Fitzroy Golf Club, in New Plymouth.