PRESS RELEASE: TEACHERS, TRADIES AND A CROCODILE WRANGLER: EVERYDAY GOLFERS CHASE NATIONAL SPORTING GLORY
Nine teams from Australia and New Zealand will descend on Brisbane to battle for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor golf title, with the 14th annual X-League Championship this August.
The Championship caps off a season involving more than 1,700 players, culminating in a Trans-Tasman showdown of school teachers, construction workers and even the manager of a crocodile farm.
Their journey from locations such as Perth, Melbourne and Christchurch highlights the growing appeal of team-based, technology-powered golf, as they shape up to hit for the title in today’s fastest growing form of the game.
Among them are Brad and Jack Gibbins from Launceston, competing alongside their cousin Alec Sinclair Roberts. The trio will represent Tasmania after what began as casual family golf nights at their local X-Golf.
Primary School teacher Brad said they signed up looking for an excuse to spend more time together and to get back into the sport they love.
“Most families catch up over dinner. Ours somehow ended up qualifying for an international golf Championship,” Brad said.
“We didn’t expect to make it this far, but we’re excited, we’re competitive and we can’t wait to represent Tassie on the main stage.”
With Golf Australia confirming off-course participation grows annually at almost 17 per cent, X-League is quickly becoming a pathway for every day golfers seeking structured competition without the traditional barriers of time, weather or experience.
Founded by Melbourne brothers Ben and Charles Styles, X-League first began in 2012 with only 30 competitors. It has now evolved into the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor golf competition spanning 35 X-Golf venues dotted across regional cities and metropolitan hubs in Australia and New Zealand.
X-Golf Group’s X-League Coordinator Nick Treble said the Championship reflects a growing appetite for new ways to compete.
“What makes X-League special is that every team has a unique story. Some are families, some are workmates and others are lifelong friends, but they’re all united by a love of the game,” Nick said.
“Technology has helped make competition more accessible, but at its heart, X-League is about everyday people getting the chance to represent their community and compete among Australia and New Zealand’s best.”
“It’s always a real buzz for our finalists and we’re really excited to see how the Championship weekend plays out for its 14th year,” he said.
Powered by X-Golf Group’s proprietary simulator technology, finalists will compete using a system that combines high-speed cameras, lasers and infrared impact sensors to deliver exceptional accuracy and realism in a controlled playing environment.
The 2026 X-League Championship will take place at X-Golf South Bank at 275 Grey Street on the 8th August. The winning team will take home $20,000 worth of prizes including a golf trip to Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links in Tasmania.
