Six weeks of opportunity await New Zealand's junior golfers

New Zealand’s junior golf calendar hits full stride over August and September, with young players from across the country set to test themselves across four marquee events. From secondary schools and national age group competition to the multi-sport spectacle of the AIMS Games, there has never been a better opportunity for the country’s junior golfers to hone their game, chase national honours and share fairways with the sport’s rising stars and seasoned professionals.

The New Zealand Secondary Schools Final is set for 29-31 August at McLean’s Island Golf Club in Christchurch after 2025’s edition saw Pinehurst School lift the title at Shandon Golf Club in Lower Hutt. A record 24 schools, representing 14 of the 15 Districts, are set to compete for the title that has been contested since 1984. Teams of three will do battle over three days, with the two best gross scores counting each day. Sides can be entered as single or mixed gender and while the girls will play a shorter course, ratings have been set to keep the competition equitable across the field. This year’s competition is set to be one of the highest-quality events in recent memory.

The following week, the New Zealand Age Group Championships too head to Christchurch and Harewood Golf Club from 2-4 September. Last year’s event, held at Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club in Lower Hutt saw Ryan Xie take out the Under 19 Boys title, Hugo Sidford claim the Under 16 Boys crown, Emma Zheng win the Under 19 Girls title and Teresa Wang victorious in the Under 16 Girls.

The AIMS Games return to Tauranga from 5-11 September 2026, with the country’s largest intermediate schools sporting event once again drawing more than 460 schools and upwards of 14,500 young athletes to the Bay of Plenty. Golf takes its turn in the spotlight from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 September, with 18-hole competition spread across the Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke courses, while a nine-hole event runs concurrently at Otumoetai, Omokoroa and Summerhill. Entry is open to golfers born from 2013-2015, those aged over 10 and under 13 as at 31 December 2025, making it a genuine proving ground for the sport’s young talent.

Just over a week later, the Bay of Plenty becomes the focal point once more as the Summerset Charles Tour rolls through with the Christies Floorings Mount Open and Carrus Tauranga Open. The junior pathway continues into the Charles Tour season, with the Futures Pro-Am series returning alongside the two professional events. The Christies Floorings Mount Open begins on 17 September at Mount Maunganui Golf Club, with the Mount Junior Pro-Am giving young golfers the chance to share the fairways with professionals during tournament week. The Carrus Tauranga Open follows from 24–27 September at Tauranga Golf Club, with another Futures Pro-Am giving juniors the opportunity to play alongside professionals.

With a packed calendar across the next six weeks, the coming period will provide plenty of opportunities for New Zealand’s junior golfers to test themselves, gain tournament experience and experience competitive golf alongside the country’s leading professionals.