Contest a success despite weather

Dunedin professional player Francis Orange sinks a close-range shot. PHOTOS: BECS MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Dunedin professional player Francis Orange sinks a close-range shot. PHOTOS: BECS MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Jayden MacDonald, of Blenheim, tees off.
Jayden MacDonald, of Blenheim, tees off.
Matthew Frank, of Blenheim, gathers a soaked disc.
Matthew Frank, of Blenheim, gathers a soaked disc.
Roddy McKay, of Queenstown, launches a shot.
Roddy McKay, of Queenstown, launches a shot.
A pair of competitors attempt to fish out their discs.
A pair of competitors attempt to fish out their discs.

Not even the wet winter weather could stop the discs from flying in Waimate for this year’s Knottingley Giants tournament.

Held on June 6-8, the tournament served as the opening round of the 2025-26 New Zealand Disc Golf Tour.

There were 135 competitors, including 30 professional players, who played 54 holes (plus four extra holes for the leaders) over the course of the weekend.

In a statement on Facebook, the Waimate Disc Golf Club said it was thankful to all those who made the event a success.

"All considered, the course held up well given what nature threw at her during the week.

"It’s a true reflection of the hard work put in by Martin Galley and his team from Vortica Disc Golf; with help from a small yet motivated team of members from the Waimate Disc Golf Club with support from some friends from Timaru Disc Golf.

"The support we received from sponsors for the event and our club is deeply appreciated.

"To all who won, placed, played, caddied, volunteered, supported, or simply socialised with us, we salute you." 

— APL

Results

Overall winner: Levi Stout, Invercargill (-34) 
MPO: Levi Stout, Invercargill (-34) 
FPO: Hayley Flintoft, Wanaka (+3) 
MP40: Tom MacKay, Dunedin (-12) 
MA1: Joel Maunder, Wanaka (-8)
FA1: Hannah Joynt, Dunedin (+28)
MA40: Lance Easson, Dunedin (E)
FA40: Maree Cummings, Dunedin (+39)
MA50: Andrew Falconer, Christchurch (+9)
FA50: Janine Frost, Ashburton (+55)
MA60: Wayne Doyle, Timaru (+17)
FA60: Jennifer Joynt, Tokoroa (+59)
MA2: Ben Cornell, Christchurch (+1)
FA2: Leah McDonald, Timaru (+35)
MA4: Edmund Hilder, Timaru (+14)
FA4: Alicia Mabey, Timaru (+51)
MJ18: Grayson Hean, Invercargill (+12)