Sports Saturday, 15 August 2026

Macarthur workmates win indoor golf title

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Updated 15 Aug 2026

THREE Macarthur workmates have turned last year’s heartbreak into victory, leading NSW to the 2026 X-League Championship and earning the title of Australia and New Zealand’s best indoor golf team.

Shane Zielonka, Andrew Robinson and Scott Green claimed the Trans-Tasman title at X-Golf South Bank in Brisbane on August 8, after finishing runners-up in 2025.

The trio, who have worked together at a Macarthur logistics company for the past decade, defeated Far North Queensland team Smoke Hazards in a dramatic final.

The match went to a playoff after Shane narrowly missed a putt on the 18th. A costly shot into the water from the Queenslanders then opened the door, with Shane sinking the winning putt to secure the championship.

“We came so close last year and that stayed with us, so to come back and actually finish the job is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Shane said.

Andrew said the disappointment of 2025 had provided extra motivation throughout the season.

“We knew exactly how much it hurt to lose at the end,” he said. “To walk away as champions is a pretty special feeling.”

The championship brought together 27 finalists from nine teams across Australia and New Zealand, competing for the title and $20,000 worth of prizes.

X-League is the largest indoor golf league in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring three-player teams competing in weekly nine-hole matches on virtual versions of world-famous courses. Its handicapped format allows players of varying abilities to compete against each other.

X-Golf Group X-League Coordinator Nick Treble said this year’s competition was the biggest yet and demonstrated the growing popularity of indoor golf.

“It’s a genuine pathway for everyday golfers to represent their venue, their state and ultimately compete for a major sporting title,” he said.

For the Macarthur trio, the victory was particularly satisfying after coming so close just 12 months earlier.

Images below: The team arrives and fans watch the contest.