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March, 2017 Numbers of golf visitors to Queenstown are estimated to have more thantripled since the first NZ Open teed off at The Hills in 2007, greatly boosting the lucrative Queenstown golf tourism market. Jacks Point general manager golf John Griffin says its all been good exposure for golf. For the last five years or so February and March golf numbers have been very strong. Numbers through Jacks Point are likely to be five to 10 percent higher this February and March than the same months last year. Theres still availability around the week of the Open March 9-12, however, John says players probably wont get their preferred time. We now have 75 carts and we can accommodate 150 players a day so we can take a lot more. The benefits spread throughout the region with visitors in town for the Open often playing as far afield as Cromwell and Wanaka, if other local courses are busy. At Arrowtown Golf Course, which will work with and host some of the major sponsors, the Saturday of the Open (March 11) was heavily booked, and the Friday was booking up, by early January. Its a big week for Kelvin Heights Golf Course too where Queenstown Golf Club manager John Stephens says numbers usually increase by about 25 percent during Open week. Weve had a lot of bookings for February and March, mainly from Australian groups. John says golfing numbers have doubled during recent years, partly thanks to the Open and the profile of high level courses like Jacks Point, Millbrook and The Hills. Its seen as a fantastic place because you can play five courses in five days all within a 20-minute drive. The Kelvin Heights course is always booked out the few days before the Open, says John, and there are a few days when players wont get a cart. Some days we have over 120 people booked. Three of the four most desirable courses in the South Island are in Queenstown, and Charlies Golf Tours owner Peter Cox says theres definitely interest from overseas to play here. I was in Thailand and Spain last year at golf travel events and the areas talked about were Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and Queenstown. About 1000 volunteers will be on deck for next months Open, with caddies coming from as far away as Australia and Scotland. (The Flyer)
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