Oscillatio Pro Victoria
New Zealand's most storied amateur golf tournament. Played across the volcanic plateau of Taupō, forged in rivalries older than the handicaps themselves.
A weekend of golf, glory and grievance on the shores of Lake Taupō.
The Taupo Amateurs began in 2014 when a small group of friends descended on the volcanic plateau of the central North Island with clubs, ambition, and questionable handicaps. What started as a two-man battle between founding members has grown into a 40-player extravaganza spanning two courses, three days and six distinct Majors.
Played each summer across Tauhara Golf Course (Taupō) on Day One and Turangi Golf Course on Day Two, the tournament pits four teams — the Blue Sniffers, Big Whero, Green Berets and Yellow Jerseys — in a Ryder Cup-style battle for the Amateurs Shield, while individuals fight for the greatest prize in amateur golf: Birdie.
Equal parts serious competition and magnificent chaos, the Amateurs is governed by a rulebook of labyrinthine complexity. Boosters, Balls, Snakes, Sweepstakes and the dreaded Wheel of Repercussions ensure no weekend is ever the same.
Four teams, one shield. Alliance is earned, not given.
Helmed by Founding Member Thomas Howard, the Sniffers are a well-oiled unit — united, loyal and passionate. Admittance is strictly invitation only. Home to Thomas Loosley, The Amateurs' first Lifetime Member, and Bodhi Vette, back-to-back Birdie champion. Their early dominance in Shield play cemented a legacy built on sniff, style, and just enough sand.
Home to founding member Sam Warner and spiritual leader Matt Gabriel, the Whero have battled through early difficulties to claim back-to-back Shield victories in 2020 and 2021. Known to be sharper than they look — write the Whero off at your peril. Whero means red in te reo Māori, and the blood runs deep.
Managed by turncoat David Rice — former Whero stalwart and Amateurs founding member who defected to establish this new force. Formed from Open competition stragglers, the Berets are the young upstarts with a point to prove and a debut Shield appearance in TAXI. Home to Cullum Millar, 2023 Birdie champion.
The Yellow Jerseys represent the competitive heart of the Amateurs — a team built on deep tournament experience. Home to David Laurence, Paul Carter, Will Howard and James Josephson, the Jerseys bring balance to the field and a relentless will to disrupt the established order when it matters most.
Every Birdie, every Bogeyman, every Shield from the beginning.
| Year | Edition | 🏆 Birdie Champion | 👔 Bogeyman | 🛡️ Amateurs Shield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | The Inaugural | Andrew Muir | Unnamed | — |
| 2015 | AAGA 2nd Annual | Thomas Howard | Matthew Gabriel | Red Team (pre-rebranding) |
| 2016 | Taupo Amateurs III | Matthew Gabriel | Marcus Jones | Big Whero (pre-rebrand) |
| 2017 | TAIV | Johnny MacAvoy | Samuel Warner | Blue Sniffers (26–17) |
| 2018 | Taupo Amateurs 5 | Thomas Loosley | Robert Graham | Blue Sniffers (11½–4½) |
| 2019 | Edition 6 | Samuel Warner | Bodhi Vette | Big Whero (playoff) |
| 2020 | TAv7 | Robert Graham | Bodhi Vette | Big Whero (7–5) |
| 2021 | Amateurs 8.0 | Hamish Howard | Thomas Howard | Big Whero (9–6) |
| 2022 | Amateurs #Nine | Bodhi Vette | Johnny MacAvoy | — |
| 2023 | The Amateur Open (TAX) | Cullum Millar | — | — |
| 2025 | The 14th | ⏳ Coming soon… | ||
Two courses. Two days. One weekend that defines careers.
The flat, open opening act. Named after the dormant volcano looming above the fairways, Tauhara hosts the Team Matchplay battle for the Amateurs Shield and sets the individual cut line. The 18th green at Tauhara has seen legends made and hearts broken in equal measure.
The spiritual home of the Amateurs. 5,672 metres of volcanic drama where the Rumble eliminates its victims hole by hole, the Blueball finds new owners and the 18th — Geoffrey Harris Drive — claims the Weekend's longest putt and crowns the champion at the final green.
Sniffers #3 · Amateur since 2014 · 2018 Birdie Champion
"Thomas has been an integral member of the Amateurs family and has taken it upon himself to welcome in all rookie Amateurs each year, briefing them on the customs & lore and guiding them to the Taupo Amateurs Tome. He is the glue that binds us, a man never to miss an event, never to give up the ghost, a man that will fight to the end."