New Zealand Senior Championship

The New Zealand Senior Championship is the country’s flagship competition for senior amateur golfers, organized by Golf New Zealand. There are separate events for men and women: the NZ Men's Seniors Championship and the NZ Women's Senior Championships. The men's edition is played over three rounds (54 holes) of stroke play, usually at top clubs like Hastings Golf Club, and attracts around 120 competitors aged 50 and above. The women’s edition, marking its 76th year, is held at venues such as Rotorua Golf Club and features a combination of one qualifying round followed by three rounds of match play in multiple divisions (scratch, handicap, flights, plates). Entries are determined by age (typically 50+), national ranking, affiliated club recommendation, and timely registration. The championship ranks among the highest honors for senior golfers in New Zealand, and also serves as a qualifier for international representation, including the annual Trans Tasman challenge.