Friends’ all-weather golf dream teeing off in town

Wānaka tourism and activities start-up business Golf Swing was the brainchild of, from left, Jeff...
Wānaka tourism and activities start-up business Golf Swing was the brainchild of, from left, Jeff Campbell, Kahu Vincent, and Jason Bopp, all of Wānaka. PHOTOS: MARJORIE COOK
A snow day can still be a go day for Wānaka golfers, thanks to a start-up golfing simulator business created by three men united by their love for the sport and a friendship extending back two decades.

Former Mount Aspiring College (Mac) friends Jeff Campbell, Jason Bopp and Kahu Vincent are now aged in their 40s but teamed up at Mac in the early 2000s.

The avid golfers stuck around Wānaka most of their life and work in the construction industry.

"About a year ago we decided to stop talking about it and get into it. Kahu wanted to put one in his garage, but Jason said, let’s do a shop," Mr Campbell said.

After months of researching golf simulators and travelling around New Zealand and Australia to see them in operation, they will launch their indoor business, Golf Swing, at the Northlake retail area tomorrow.

Mr Vincent, originally from Wellington, moved to Wānaka with his family when he was a young teen.

"I have been playing for ages. I started when I was 3 or 4 and stopped in the third form," Mr Vincent said.

He got back into it soon after leaving school and has remained dedicated to the sport ever since.

Mr Bopp learned to play on the Lake Hāwea golf course, while Mr Campbell learned on the Wānaka golf course.

All three are Wānaka Golf Club members.

Mr Bopp said the Northlake retail area was building into a "cool wee community" and

foot traffic to store next door, and a nearby cafe, was increasing.

For now, the trio will run the business themselves, with help from family.

In the future, they hope to employ staff and get a liquor licence.

Mr Vincent and Mr Campbell both have four children, so they were keen provide for family events.

Golf Swing includes a mini-put course for children and children’s golfing games.

A variety of games and golf courses screen on three Trackman golfing simulators the men sourced from an Australian supplier (the units are designed and manufactured in Denmark).

The men said Wānaka and Lake Hāwea had fantastic courses and they were looking forward to the Parkins Bay golf course opening too.

"But we wanted to create somewhere for when the weather is bad.

Somewhere to train or bring the kids," Mr Campbell said.