A field of 128 keen golfers converged on the Centennial Course at Taupō Golf Club for the 2026 North Island Police Golf Championships, with fine weather adding to three days of competitive golf.

Played from March 23-25, the course for the 72-hole tournament was in excellent condition, with many players praising the quality of the greens. The rough also attracted plenty of comment – most of it unprintable – as its length proved a formidable opponent, swallowing up a fair share of wayward shots.

Competition was tight across all four divisions, from juniors to seniors, with several players rising above the pack with some impressive scoring that is likely to see their handicaps trimmed in the coming weeks.

At the top end of the leaderboard, Elton Nicholson underlined his status as the country’s premier Police golfer, finishing eight under par across four rounds to secure the overall gross title.

The win marks Elton’s 10th North Island title in 12 years – an extraordinary run. But this latest victory was far from straightforward. Elton was pushed all the way by former Taupō champion and defending champion Scott Johnson, with the contest going down to the final hole. 

The tournament ran smoothly thanks to the hard work of the eight‑person organising committee from the Taupō Police Golf Club, supported superbly by Taupō Golf Club staff both on the course and in the clubhouse.

Organisers also acknowledged the ongoing backing of Police Sport, which continues to support the championships each year. – Dean Barnes, Taupō Police Golf Club