Macleans College golfers finish sixth in New Zealand
Posted on September 22, 2026
Macleans College golfers Archie Thompson (Batten House), Wianru Oosthuizen (Kupe) and Rory Gillion (Hillary) delivered a strong performance at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Golf Finals in Christchurch, finishing sixth nationally.
The finals were held at McLeans Island Golf Club, one of the more demanding courses on the national secondary school circuit. Over two days, players needed to demonstrate accuracy, sound course management and consistency while maintaining focus throughout each round.
The Macleans College team faced a difficult opening day, leaving them with ground to make up in the final round. The players responded strongly, improving their scores and producing a much better team performance.
Their efforts saw Macleans College climb the standings to finish sixth in New Zealand. Archie was a standout performer, finishing third overall in the individual competition.
The players’ national campaign continued at the Under-19 Age Group Nationals with Archie, Wianru and Rory competing at Harewood Golf Course in Christchurch. This event provided another opportunity to compete against some of the country’s leading young golfers.
Archie made the cut and secured a place in the final group for the closing round. Strong winds created further difficulties, delaying the start by 45 minutes.
Despite the conditions, Archie remained composed and played his way into contention. With nine holes remaining, he held a one-shot lead. He battled through the closing holes to finish tied for third, just one shot behind the winner.
The results were a strong achievement for the three Macleans College golfers and highlighted their ability to perform at national level.