NZ Open approaches centenary date on top
A year away from celebrating its centenary, the New Zealand Golf Open is enjoying a remarkable renaissance, with a format that has brought growth and international acclaim.
The 99th ISPS Handa New Zealand Open, supported by the New Zealand government through its Major Events Funding, will take place at Millbrook Resort and The Hills courses in Queenstown on March 1-4.
Under the direction of former All Black coach, and respected businessman John Hart, the Open has developed into more than just a golf tournament.
On the sporting front, the 2018 event will boast arguably its strongest ever field in terms of depth, competing for a total of NZ$1.2 million, the largest purse offered since a brief flirtation with support from the European Tour more than a decade ago.
For the first time the Open is cosanctioned by both the PGA Tour of Australasia and the burgeoning Asian Tour, with a partnership agreement with the lucrative Japan Golf Tour.
This will lead to the spectacular Queenstown landscape being broadcast to television audiences in 180 countries and firmly establishes the event as a key part of the Asia-Pacific golfing and business landscape.
A key to this growth is the event’s unique format where keen golf-loving businesspeople pay to play alongside the professionals for the first two days, with a handful qualifying through to the final round.
It is a format used on the PGA Tour at the AT&T National and the European Tour at the Dunhill Links. While the usual one-day Pro-Ams in typical 72-hole professional tournaments draw a sigh from many, this unique businessmeets-golf concept enjoys a thumbs-up from both amateur participants and professionals.
The 1996 New Zealand Open winner, Michael Long, believes the tournament is among the first that players on the PGA Tour of Australasia pencil in and the most enjoyable week of their year.
Four-time winner on the PGA Tour, American Heath Slocum said that in his 2017 experience at Millbrook Resort and The Hills that the tournament was among the best presented golf events he had ever attended.
‘‘I’ve actually had my best successes at this format at the AT&T,’’ said USbased Kiwi Tim Wilkinson, who is venturing to play in Queenstown for the first time. ‘‘You understand it will take a little longer, so you just relax more, enjoy the company and get to know people you would normally do not get the chance to meet.’’
Hart believes Queenstown is one of the key factors in the success of the Open in its current format, both as a destination and its golfing infrastructure.
‘‘Queenstown is a remarkable international destination that offers global appeal. On the golfing side we currently play on two magnificent courses in close proximity, which we will look to expand to three in the future,’’ Hart said.
Hart says the other key aspect is that the New Zealand Open is not just a tournament, it is an event.
It receives funding from Major Events and the Queenstown and Lakes District Council, primarily to open up links and business with Asia and to promote Queenstown and New Zealand as a major tourist destination around the world.
‘‘Originally government wanted us to use our tournament as a business and tourism opportunity to assist with linkage into Asia through the game of golf. If we look at those broad-brush requirements, then we have been very successful.
For 2018, the organisers have raised $3.5m in sponsorship, of which 75 percent, led by Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruisha Handa, will come from overseas.
Ian Hepenstall works as a media for the NZ Open. contact