Golfer ticks off every NZ course to raise funds for mental illness after wife's death

Friday, 26 June 2026

After losing his wife Megan to mental illness, Christchurch golfer Barrie Coleman has played every golf course in New Zealand to raise money for charity.

After his wife’s death more than three years ago Christchurch golfer Barrie Coleman left his job, sold his house and set off to play every golf course in New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for mental wellbeing.

Coleman said his wife died in November 2022, aged 49, after battling mental illness for about 20 years. They had been married for 28 years.

“She was such a lovely person. She was a nurse in Christchurch. She was a good nurse and everybody loved her. She loved her three girls but she lost the battle in the end,” he said.

After losing his wife Megan to mental illness, Christchurch golfer Barrie Coleman founded The Links Foundation to raise money through golf tournaments in honour of his wife.

While his wife had good support from the health system throughout her illness, access to services could be better for those in need of help, he said.

“The resources in New Zealand are lacking in that area and could be better. It’s hard to get into counselling and there are waiting lists. So that’s why I’m hoping to help,” he said.

Coleman and three close friends established The Links Foundation, a charitable trust to raise funds and awareness for mental health through the love of golf.

The Links Foundation, founded by Barrie Coleman and three mates, has raised more than $130,000 for mental health initiatives including Gum Boot Golf and I am Hope.

Since then, the foundation has raised more than $130,000 for mental health initiatives throughout New Zealand including organisations I Am Hope and Lads Without Labels.

In March, Coleman set out on the foundation's most ambitious initiative yet - playing every golf course in New Zealand as part of the “Saving Butts, Sinking Putts” campaign to share his story and encourage conversations around mental wellbeing.

“I’ve played at every course in New Zealand from Stewart Island to Great Barrier. It’s taken me 14 months. It was hard work, sometimes I felt like ‘what am I doing?’, but I got there in the end,” he said.

The mission saw him travelling the length of Aotearoa in a campervan, playing all 394 golf courses in the country and averaging six rounds every week.

Through sponsorship, donations and a Givealittle page he has raised $50,000 so far.

Barrie and Megan Coleman were married for 28 years before she died in 2022.

Friday's round at Clearwater Golf Club marks the final chapter of his remarkable journey before he completes a homecoming round at Weedons Country Club in Rolleston on Saturday. He said there would be a gathering of 144 people playing golf and attending a prize giving.

To coincide with the completion of the challenge, Coleman is raffling the Benimar Motorhome, valued at $224,000, that has carried him around New Zealand, with proceeds supporting MITEY, Sir John Kirwan's youth mental health programme.

He said Megan had her “ups and downs over the years”.

“We had some great years but she quickly went down hill in the end. Our three daughters saw their mum go through hell.

“I wanted to raise awareness. It was amazing how many people along the way I met that had lost somebody to suicide. It has been healing for me to get away and do this,” he said.