The revamped 2026 Wolfbrook Canterbury Stroke Play Championship is set to live up to anticipations, as a stella field of players from across Canterbury and New Zealand prepare to descend on the pristine Clearwater Golf Club this weekend. Over 160 entries were received for the 108 available positions, highlighting the enormous interest in taking part, with players hailing from a total of 43 different golf clubs across New Zealand. The large number of registrations meant it was a very competitive field to gain entry to, none more so than the 72-Hole Open Men’s Championship category, where the cutline for the 60-strong division finished at just a 1.5 handicap index. 32 entries were also received in the women’s space, a significant increase on previous years, with the strongest women’s field for a Canterbury event in recent memory set to play. Men’s Masters interest was also extremely strong, resulting in an equally impressive division of quality players. In all there is $6,500 in prizes to be awarded, including a $1000 value first prize for the 72-Hole champion.
In the 72-Hole Open Men’s Championship division, a very exciting and quality set of amateurs will assemble to bid for the Men’s title, which has been contested since 1958 with a total of 52 different champions over the years. The top seeds on handicap this year are a couple of out-of-towners who will make the trip south. This includes Bay of Plenty’s Mitchell Kale (Tauranga), who will make his Canterbury Stroke Play debut. A +4.9 handicapper, the current NZ Amateur Champion, and a Golf NZ National Academy member, he will be intent on adding the Canterbury Stroke Play title to his resume. He could be pushed however by Wellington’s number one golfer Jonno Cane (Manor Park) who has also made his way down to the Garden City, looking to cause a stir. A well-known name in the provincial representative space, Cane, a +4.5 handicapper has the pedigree to feature.
There are also multiple local hopes that will back themselves to be in the running come Sunday afternoon, none more so than inform Sam McGill (Clearwater.) McGill will have home-club advantage and will be looking to make full use of his local knowledge across the 72-holes. It’s been a strong last few months for McGill after winning the Canterbury Match Play in October, winning all of his matches at the recent 2025 NZ Interprovincial in December while representing Canterbury, then in the new year winning another two local club open order of merit events. No doubt his confidence will be high. Another notable name who has impressed recently is that of Mike Toeke (Russley), coming off the back of winning the recent NZ Māori National Championship and securing himself a place in the upcoming NZ Open. An experienced player, he will be looking to write his name on the trophy for the first time.
Beyond this there are many capable players such as the likes of 2025 runner-up Ricky Kang (Harewood), himself a Golf NZ National Academy member. Tasman’s Elijah Barney (+3.7, Nelson), Manawatu’s William Dunsmore (+3.4), and Otago’s Rapahel Andreson (Wanaka) are all talented teenagers returning to the event and looking to play well. Other young Canterbury hopes include the likes of Thomas Clayson (Christchurch, +2.6), Alfie Bell (Russley, +3.2), and Etienne Collier (Avondale, +2.5) who would all be looking for a strong, consistent weekend over the four rounds of play.
In the Women’s division, a strong field mixed with many out-of-town players and locals will front in what will be the most tightly contested division for some years. The top seed in this one is Golf NZ National Academy member, Aucklander Teresa Wang. Although just 15 years of age, the Remuera product plays off a +3.9 handicap and is experienced at playing events all across New Zealand. She will be pushed by likes of Junie Chang (+3.0) of Russley who is fresh off a dramatic win at the recent Canterbury Age Group Championships, sinking a huge Eagle putt on 18 to win the Girls U19 category. The next two top seeds are again from beyond Canterbury’s borders with Huilin Eva Li (+2.2) and Angeline Loh (+1.7), out of Pupuke and Titirangi respectively, bringing quality of their own. Other Canterbury chances rest with the likes of Zaria Bourne (Waimairi Beach, +0.5), Alice Fry (Russley, +0.2) and Vanessa Lim (Russley, 0.5), all members of the Canterbury Golf TDP. Five Women’s Masters’ players will also play within the division, with Emma Lewis (3.6) the highest seed amongst them. In all, in the women’s entries there are players from 19 different clubs ranging from as far north as Pupuke, and all the way south to Arrowtown and everywhere in between showcasing the great amount of distance these ladies have travelled to compete in this premier tournament.
In the Men’s Masters division, a field of 16 players was finalised resulting in a high-quality pool of experienced players. Former Canterbury Rep David Rattray has made the trip across the ditch for the event, a veteran player still off a +1.5 handicap, he will be looking for a solid 54-holes. Previous champion Ben Crawford of Nelson returns as 2nd seed and will be looking to lift the trophy once more. 2024 Masters champion Kieran Sharvin (Waitikiri) and 2025 Canterbury Match Play champion James Howard (Coringa) are experienced players too that have the ability to feature on the podium. There are also several other candidates with the likes of 2025 Stroke Play runner-up Glen Coughlan, 2025 Match Play runner-up Joseph Larson, and Clearwater local and 2024 Match Play champion Michale Bailey, all with the ability to push for honours.
Overall, a very strong group of players has been assembled and with World Amateur Rankings Points, Order of Merit points, and 3 spots for the final NZ Open Qualifying event in Cromwell all on the line as well as the Stroke Play titles themselves – it’s all on!
Clearwater will be looking a picture, and with a positive forecast predicted, the Canterbury public are encouraged to come out to witness some of the best amateur golfers in New Zealand showcasing their skills in search of glory. A reminder too that the Ultimate Golf Raffle will be drawn at the event Prize Giving.
View Day 1’s Draw – HERE.
Follow the Live Scoring and Results – HERE. (Note- Live Scoring won’t be active until play has commenced.)
Our thanks also go out to our event sponsors, Wolfbrook (Naming Rights Sponsor), Lamb & Hayward (Princiapal Partner), and The Clubroom (Prize Partner) whose repsective contributions have greatly supported the event.
