$5.5m for golf opens

New Zealand’s two major golf opens will receive $5.5 million of government funding over the next three years.

The money will come from the Major Events Development Fund, with $2.7 million to support the Mckayson New Zealand Women’s Open from 2017 to 2019.

This year’s event has been elevated to LPGA Tour status, boasting a prize purse of $1.3 million.

A further $2.8 million will be invested over those three years in support the ISPS Handa NZ Golf Open (men’s). The 2017 tournament gets under way in Queenstown today.

The announcement was made by Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman yesterday.

Bridges said the tournaments were a great way to showcase New Zealand to a global audience, including wealthy golf tourists in the United States, China and Japan.

‘‘Golf tourism in New Zealand is already thriving. It is estimated that over 61,000 international visitors played golf in New Zealand last year and contributed around $329 million to the economy.

‘‘For the first time the New Zealand Women’s Open will be sanctioned by the LPGA, meaning we will be able to attract some of the best players in the world, as well as a large number of their supporters and fans.’’

New Zealand Open organising committee chairman John Hart said he was ‘‘delighted’’ the government was continuing their support.

‘‘We’re delighted that the government has seen fit to continue its support of the tournament,’’ Hart said.

The men’s open runs from today to Sunday, while the women’s event is on from September 28 to October 1.