X-League golf finals unite Aussies & Kiwis with tech & team spirit
The event, now in its 14th year, brings together participants from cities including Christchurch, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, and several Victorian regions. Teams are comprised of self-described weekend hackers and more experienced golfers, each with their eyes set on the championship, which will be hosted at a facility in Clyde North, south-east of Melbourne.
The X-League was created by Melbourne-based brothers Ben and Charles Styles in partnership with Korean developers. It serves as a platform that blends traditional golf with advanced simulator technologies, such as high-definition cameras, lasers, impact sensors, and infrared systems, to provide accurate shot tracking and realistic play.
The competition runs across three 10-week seasons per year, with teams of three contesting nine-hole matches using handicap scoring. Over 1,000 players engage in the league annually through X-Golf's 32 venues spanning Australia and New Zealand.
The reach of the X-League is evident in the diversity of its finalists, with teams hailing from Christchurch, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, and other cities. Contestants include workers from various backgrounds, such as tradespeople and office colleagues, reflecting the accessible nature of the competition. "The buzz is real," said Christchurch X-League finalist Justin Salter. "We went from hitting balls after work to preparing to fly to Australia for the Championship. It's certainly the most any of us have achieved in sport and we still can't believe it!"
Participation continues to rise in line with broader trends reported by Golf Australia, which noted a 9% year-on-year increase in the sport's uptake. In tandem, the growth of Esports in Australia is notable, with recent market research estimating that the local Esports industry will generate over AUD $200 million in revenue during 2024.
The X-League aims to provide an alternative to solitary golf by encouraging team play and competition through digital technology. According to Nick Treble from X-Golf, the league offers an experience that merges the camaraderie of team sports with the realism of advanced simulator technology. "You've got the mate ship of a local footy team, the buzz of Esports and the realism of the best tech currently on the global market," he said. "We're very proud to reimagine the traditional game of golf and to bring the opportunity to get involved to more interested players than ever before."
Finalists from Darwin have also highlighted their surprise at progressing through the competition. Terry, a participant from the Northern Territory, commented on the surreal experience. "We're what you'd call the quintessential Aussie hackers," Darwin X-League finalist Terry laughed. "Every time we say it out loud, we still can't believe we won this thing and that we're heading off to represent the NT."
This year's championship prizes are valued at AUD $20,000, with winners also set to receive a trip to the Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links in Tasmania. The championship event is scheduled for the last week of August, with venues located in various urban and regional areas, including Townsville, Toowoomba, Marion, Balcatta, and Launceston, as well as Christchurch and other locations in New Zealand.
X-League's continued expansion suggests ongoing interest in combining traditional sports with modern digital experiences, and the league's organisers report strong engagement from both recreational and competitive golfers.
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