2023 Australian Police Golf Team – International Combined Services Golf Tournament – Wellington Region, New Zealand – Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November 2023
In early 2023, a strong and proud National Team of serving, retired and former police were confirmed, selected from across the police services as representatives of Australian Police Golf Team (APGT) to compete in the above tournament.
Teams for the tournament consisted of 10 men (an additional manager/reserve), and 3 ladies (including a reserve) – maximum teams of 14 travellers; this was the first year integrating ladies into the format, and the first time all four services were to be competing in the one event.
The 2023 tournament hosts were the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and the location selected was Wellington Region, New Zealand. National Teams representing the New Zealand Defence Force Team (NZDFT), the New Zealand Police Team (NZPT), and the Australian Defence Force Team (ADFT) were also selected by their respective services. Our hosts were generous to the teams, providing access to NZDF accommodation, meals and one of their Mess bars during our stay.
On a sad note, during planning, the ADF Team were refused permission to attend and compete. Adjustments to the planned schedule were made, and the tournament proceeded with the 3 national service representative teams competing.
Golf courses utilised were:
Te Marua GC (practice round), Paraparaumu Beach GC (practice round), Shandon GC for the International Combined Services Tournament (36-holes each day), and Royal Wellington GC for the Trans-Tasman Challenge (18-holes single matches).
Tournament format was the combined result of singles matches, foursomes, and 4-ball best ball – scratch matchplay for the men, handicap matchplay for the ladies (playing at 60% handicap on the difference).
Once chosen, APGT members generally self-fund their equipment, travel, accommodation, drinks, and meals. This year the team was grateful for financial assistance by several generous sponsors, which reduced the per-player costs significantly, and supported the team outfitting.
2023 Australian Police Golf Team (APGT) members selected were:
Owen Spackman – VIC Capt. | Lennon Thurtell – AFP | Jamie Cornish – VIC |
Corey Holden – NSW | Andrew Hume – SA | Jason McBeath – NSW |
Glen Sales – QLD | Matt Thomas – VIC | Jon Upton – NSW |
Jessica Carter- NSW | Emily Murray – NSW | Sarah Powell – ACT |
Tim Deakin – QLD Res / Mgr. |
The tournament matches were played in great competitive spirit and an atmosphere of mutual fun and camaraderie. The 2023 Australian Police Golf Team were ultimately successful, winning all the events, outright !!
International Combined Services Trophy:
Inter-Team results (played over 3 days):
NZDFT 6 vs NZPT 16
NZDFT 6 vs APGT 16
APGT 13 ½ vs NZPT 8 ½
Total overall Team points result:
1st – APGT – 29 ½ points
2nd – NZPT – 24 ½ points
3rd – NZDFT – 12 points
Royal Wellington GC – Trans-Tasman Challenge Cup (18-holes single matches) Result:
Winner: Australian Police Golf Team
Talented, proud, brilliantly successful 2023 Australian Police Golf Team holding trophies:
Curious about whether you could make the team?? Do you want to know more about the future proposed events?? (2024 – APGT against Australian Defence Force Golf Team ADFGT; 2025 – Canada hosting a 4 x Nations Challenge of the APGT against Canada, UK and NZ !!)
Play with or become known to your State/Territory Police Golf Club, and / or find an APGT member from the list above.
Details about the 2022 Australian Police Golf Team Matches.