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NEW ZEALAND PGA GOLF PRO-AM FOR QUEENSTOWN

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December, 2011

The Hills private golf course near Queenstown will host the New Zealand PGA Pro-Am for the next five years, yet again boosting the profile of golf in the resort.
The tournament will be part of the Australasian Tour and the first one will be held next year from March 29 to April 1.
Tourism leaders say it will be a real boost to have a high profile golf tournament back in Queenstown again and the professional, amateur and celebrity championship format should generate some strong international interest.
Prime Minister John Key launched the inaugural NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship, a partnership between the NZ PGA and The Hills owned by Sir Michael Hill, early this month.
The tournament will have a total prize money of $500,000 in 2012.
Inspired by the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, one of the most prestigious events on the European tour, the event builds on the long established NZ PGA Championship, first played for in 1920.
Professionals will play for the NZ PGA Championship over four rounds, but in a unique event format, 64 invited amateurs and celebrities will be each paired with one of the 64 professionals that make the cut, playing together as a team for the NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship over the final two days.
NZ PGA Pro-Am Organising Committee Chairman John Hart explains why he and his team felt inspired to bring this format to New Zealand.
Several years ago I was lucky enough to play in the Dunhill and I absolutely loved it - the combination of getting to play alongside some of the worlds best golfers and well known celebrities in the heat of a professional tournament was an amazing opportunity. The NZ PGA and The Hills believe that this format will be very attractive in New Zealand, promoting the game of golf and providing excellent leverage opportunities for both business and tourism at home and abroad.
Sir Michael says he has been delighted with the support they have received from both the private and the public sector and looks forward to working with the tournament partners to develop an iconic event that New Zealanders can be proud of in one of the Worlds finest tourist destinations, Queenstown.
The major sponsors for the event to date are: Air New Zealand, The Hilton Hotel Queenstown, Michael Hill Watches, New Zealand Major Events, Sky City Entertainment, and Ultimate Hikes New Zealand.