Geelong hosts major indoor golf championship

GEELONG played host to the largest indoor golf championship event in the Pacific region last weekend.

The 25 finalists from eight teams from as far as Christchurch and Perth came to Geelong to represent their states in the 12th annual X-League Pacific Golf Championship.

The tournament was won by Queensland tradies Scott Simpson, Sean Padget and Justin Hooper from Rockhampton, defeating a fast-finishing team from X-Golf Marion in South Australia.

“It feels unreal to get as far as we did,” Playing for Skins team member Justin Hooper said.

“Going to Geelong for the finals was a great experience and to take the win home is an amazing achievement for us.”

The two-day Championship event also featured 18 holes of traditional golf at The Sands in Torquay in the Ambrose format.

PGA professional golfer Ben Eccles was in attendance for tee-off at The Sands and said it was evident the skills of indoor golf translated well to being outdoors on a real course.

“Golf is an incredibly difficult sport; I talk to my coach about this every day.

“The margins are small and you’re bound by restrictions, and I think that’s why it’s become so popular, because it’s an endless journey to get better.

“X-League adds a deeper competitive element, which in turn improves your skills, and that’s really what people crave in golf.”

X-League continues to soar in popularity, growing to host more than 1,000 competitors across the Pacific since 2012.

X-Golf’s Nick Treble said the team was delighted to bring the Pacific’s biggest indoor golf competition to Geelong to showcase what the region offers to golfers.

“I’m passionate about shining a light on the sport and to do that in our flagship city is extra special.

“Geelong is somewhat of a golfer’s Mecca. There are 12 outdoor courses here with beautiful scenery, plus an enthusiastic community of players all around, many of whom are regulars at X-Golf.”

For more information, head to xgolf.com.au/x-league/national-championships