$5.5m to support major golfing events in NZ
Economic Development Sport and RecreationEconomic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced a $5.5 million investment into two major golfing events.
Through the Major Events Development Fund $2.7 million will be committed to New Zealand Golf to support the hosting of the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open from 2017 to 2019.
$2.8 million will also be invested over three years in support the annual ISPS Handa NZ Golf Open. The 2017 tournament gets underway in Queenstown tomorrow.
“These tournaments bring top-ranked international golfers to New Zealand, creating an opportunity to showcase our country to a global audience, including key tourism markets such as the US, China, Japan and Australia,” says Mr Bridges.
“Golf tourism in New Zealand is already thriving. It is estimated that over 61,000 international visitors played golf in New Zealand last year and contributed around $329 million to the economy.
“For the first time the New Zealand Women’s Open will be sanctioned by the LPGA, meaning we will be able to attract some of the best players in the world, as well as a large number of their supporters and fans.”
“This is a chance for New Zealand to see our very own Lydia Ko take on some of the best players in the world right here at home,” says Dr Coleman.
“With the Royal Wellington Golf club hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship in 2017, the New Zealand Open in Queenstown and now a LPGA tournament at the newly built Windross Farm Golf Club in Takanini, Auckland, we are building New Zealand’s reputation as a destination for world class golf events and golf tourism more generally.”
The ISPS Handa NZ Golf Open runs from 9 to 12 March in Queenstown and the Mckayson New Zealand Women’s Open from 28 September to 1 October.
The Government invests, through the Major Events Development Fund, in major events that generate significant immediate and long-term benefits to New Zealand.