Amateur field for centenary Open filled

THE amateur field for next year’s NZ Open has already sold out.

Chairman John Hart said yesterday the field would increase to 152 professionals and an equal number of amateurs for the 2019 proam event, which would be the centenary of the Open, up from 144 this year.

‘‘Ninetyfive percent of last year’s players . . . are coming back again . . . it’s pretty impressive and we’ve got a significant waiting list.’’

Hart said, in time, the field could increase to 180 pros and amateurs, split over three courses.

At present the tournament is played between Millbrook and The Hills. However, Hart said tournament organisers were in discussions with Jacks Point, with a view to it becoming the third course in the next three to five years.

Should Hogans Gully Farm Ltd, which has lodged resource consent to establish a $30 million, 18hole championship golf course and associated facilities, including 96 homes, on a 132ha site near Arrowtown, gain approval, it too would become an integral part of the longterm structure of a threecourse formatted NZ Open.

‘‘I was fortunate enough to play in the Dunhill 15 years ago and I think both the Dunhill and the AT&T are [a field of] 180, so it gives us the ability to grow that, which obviously gives us more professional starts and also it’s another income generator by having more amateur spots to add internationally.

‘‘I’m very committed to doing all I can to promote the tournament, make it a great tournament longterm and Queenstown, hopefully, will be the longterm beneficiary.’’