November 28, 2025
The new mini golf course in Ashburton is a hit with hundreds giving it a go over the weekend.
For Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan, it’s a few too many hits than she would like.
“I need a lot more practice.
“There were a couple of holes where I was amazing, and more where the maximum of six shots came in handy.”
McMillan officially opened the course on Friday, a $500,000, Mid Canterbury-themed 18-hole course at the EA Networks Centre sports complex.
“We had quite a variety of ages at the opening, and everyone was enjoying it.
“It’s got something for everyone.”
One of the invited guests was former Mayor Neil Brown, who had proposed building the course during the last long-term plan.
Brown wanted to provide an affordable activity for families and proposed building the mini golf course from reserves, not to impact rates, and having it free to play.
“It was in the future plans to have a course there, and I just proposed that it be brought forward,” Brown said.
It had been initially planned to open before the end of his second and final term as mayor.
Despite the slight delay, he is happy to see the “fantastic new asset for the community” opened.
“The plans had looked great, but it's way better than the plans had described. It’s a course you can go back to time and time again”.
The opening also presented a tiebreaker opportunity for Brown and his former deputy mayor-turned-successor, McMillan.
The pair had raced down the new duel flying fox in the domain when it opened, with McMillan taking the win on video review before Brown levelled the score with a win at the Tinwald disc golf course opening.
The decider on the mini golf course was disrupted by a media interview.
McMillan needed to leave for another commitment, cutting the round short, and a phone mishap erased the scores.
“We didn’t end up finishing the round, and we didn’t get an end result,” McMillan said.
But Brown confirmed there will be a rematch in the new year, after they both have time to practice.
With plans for regular rounds at the course to improve her score, and actually record it, ahead of the rematch with Brown, McMillan said a new putter is now on her Christmas list.
The other notable bright spot at the course opening was Cr Tony Todd’s bright yellow pants.
“They were his original golfing pants, so he brought them out of retirement to come dressed for the occasion,” McMillan said.
The council reported that the online booking system showed 517 people played the Mini Mid Canterbury course on Saturday and Sunday.
By Jonathan Leask
The new mini golf course in Ashburton is a hit with hundreds giving it a go over the weekend.
For Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan, it’s a few too many hits than she would like.
“I need a lot more practice.
“There were a couple of holes where I was amazing, and more where the maximum of six shots came in handy.”
McMillan officially opened the course on Friday, a $500,000, Mid Canterbury-themed 18-hole course at the EA Networks Centre sports complex.
“We had quite a variety of ages at the opening, and everyone was enjoying it.
“It’s got something for everyone.”
One of the invited guests was former Mayor Neil Brown, who had proposed building the course during the last long-term plan.
Brown wanted to provide an affordable activity for families and proposed building the mini golf course from reserves, not to impact rates, and having it free to play.
“It was in the future plans to have a course there, and I just proposed that it be brought forward,” Brown said.
It had been initially planned to open before the end of his second and final term as mayor.
Despite the slight delay, he is happy to see the “fantastic new asset for the community” opened.
“The plans had looked great, but it's way better than the plans had described. It’s a course you can go back to time and time again”.
The opening also presented a tiebreaker opportunity for Brown and his former deputy mayor-turned-successor, McMillan.
The pair had raced down the new duel flying fox in the domain when it opened, with McMillan taking the win on video review before Brown levelled the score with a win at the Tinwald disc golf course opening.
The decider on the mini golf course was disrupted by a media interview.
McMillan needed to leave for another commitment, cutting the round short, and a phone mishap erased the scores.
“We didn’t end up finishing the round, and we didn’t get an end result,” McMillan said.
But Brown confirmed there will be a rematch in the new year, after they both have time to practice.
With plans for regular rounds at the course to improve her score, and actually record it, ahead of the rematch with Brown, McMillan said a new putter is now on her Christmas list.
The other notable bright spot at the course opening was Cr Tony Todd’s bright yellow pants.
“They were his original golfing pants, so he brought them out of retirement to come dressed for the occasion,” McMillan said.
The council reported that the online booking system showed 517 people played the Mini Mid Canterbury course on Saturday and Sunday.
By Jonathan Leask
