New Zealand Open to be staged in Queenstown

The 17th hole at "The Hills"

The New Zealand Open will celebrate 100 years of existence at the new venue of The Hills Golf Club, near Queenstown in November.

It is among a number of significant changes to the Open announced by New Zealand Golf today.

As a result of the new venue and promoter, New Zealand Golf have confirmed that the Open will not carry any financial risk to the organisation. They have reached agreement with Tuohy Associates NZ, an established Australian promoter, to assume responsibility for the management of the tournament.

The Open will remain as a co-sanctioned event with the Australasian PGA Tour and European Tour and will be held from 29 November to 2 December, following the co-sanctioned MasterCard Masters in Melbourne.

New Zealand Golf have secured the active support of the 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell who will become the official New Zealand Open Ambassador.

"I am really pleased with the plans that have been put in place for the New Zealand Open and the direction it is taking," Campbell said. "I said at last year's Open that I wanted to help this event going forward.

"So I have pledged my support to the New Zealand Open, firstly as a player and also as a proud New Zealander. I am going to be speaking with a number of players to encourage them to compete in the Open

"With the Remarkables as the backdrop to this course, there will be some wonderful television pictures beamed around the world," said Campbell who visited The Hills recently.

New Zealand Golf Chairman Philip Hassall said the Open remains strategically important for New Zealand Golf but must no longer impact financially on the organisation.

The New Zealand Open will be based at The Hills Golf Club for three years and is the first time the event has been staged in the South Island since 1985.

"Our aim is to rebuild and restore the Open and then look at a rotation system from 2010," Mr Hassall said. "We believe that three years is fair for The Hills to get value out of the infrastructural investment that they need to make to host the Open.

"The 2007 event will celebrate 100 years since the first New Zealand Open. I'd like to think that the things we have put in place, and will continue to develop, will provide a platform for the next 100 years," he said.

The Australasian PGA Tour, the joint venture partners in the New Zealand Open, have endorsed the developments.

The Hills GC is a new course located near Arrowtown and is owned by well-known New Zealand businessman Michael Hill.

The course has received strong commendation from four-time New Zealand Open champion Sir Bob Charles.

"In my opinion it's in the top five in New Zealand," Sir Bob said. "They have done a wonderful job to put together a golf course on such natural surrounds.

"I have a high opinion of the course and all who come to play there will really enjoy the experience. It's not only a great test of golf for the players but it also has great viewing for spectators. It is a great venue for a New Zealand Open."

The Hills owner Michael Hill is excited by the decision.

"Queenstown has a reputation both in New Zealand and internationally as the

country's leading tourist resort and I feel very honoured to live here and have the opportunity to host a golf tournament of this calibre which will showcase the region and its attractions around the world."

Mr Hassall is confident the event will attract spectator and corporate support.

"Queenstown already hosts some major sporting events that draw good support like the one-day cricket international, and it is well located to drawn on support from Canterbury, Otago and Southland," Mr Hassall said.

Commercial developments are progressing well according to promoter Tuohy Associates.

"I'd like to commend the vision and commitment of New Zealand Golf and Geoff Saunders and his sub-committee," Tuohy Associates Chairman Bob Tuohy said. "They were faced with some major issues last year but they have protected the integrity of their national championship.

"We are excited at the challenge and have already had some excellent feedback from existing and prospective sponsors and the local golfing and business community in the Queenstown region."

Mr Hassall said his Board considered it vital to retain the co-sanction arrangement with the Australasian and European Tours.

"That is our lifeline to the second biggest tour in world golf. Having said that it's fair to say we were disappointed with the level of support from European Tour players last year and we will be working very hard to improve that," said Mr Hassall.

"At the same time we want to ensure that our best players have the opportunity to play in our premier professional golf event at home.

"The sub-committee has worked tirelessly over the last few months and I am delighted that we have addressed all of the issues surrounding the Open in 2006.

"We are confident we have established a platform to stage a sustainable, world-class event befitting the traditions of 100 years of the New Zealand Open."