Millbrook will remain headquarters but the New Zealand Open seems certain to move back to a multi-course format sooner rather than later.
Tournament chairman John Hart said on Saturday there were logistical issues to address but there was a strong desire to spread the Open”s wings.
He also revealed Millbrook Tournaments, the organisation running the Open on behalf of Golf New Zealand, had a new licence until 2027.
It means the Open will stay in Queenstown and, he hopes, get bigger and better when Millbrook is joined by other courses.
“We want to make a commitment to extend it for another five years”, Hart said.
The New Zealand Open is in its 10th year in the pro-am format.
It was previously held across Millbrook and The Hills, but has been held solely at Millbrook for the past two years.
There are benefits to the tournament being held at a single venue. However, they could be outweighed by the potential commercial and marketing benefits of utilising two or three courses, not to mention the ability to have friendlier tee times.
“We are thinking about it”, Hart said.
“It”s partly financial — to go to a third course is another heavy investment — and it”s logistical.
“But we have had discussions with Jack”s Point, and with The Hills, and with Hogan”s Gully, the new one to be built at the back of The Hills.
“All of the courses are saying they are committing to the New Zealand Open in whatever form that might be required.
“So we”re in a tremendous position. We can make those moves at the right time.”
Hart said The Hills, set for something of a rebirth after a new partnership with billionaire developer Ric Kayne, was “probably not a viable option” in the next few years.
Any move to a multi-course format would not change one essential thing: Millbrook would host the final round of the tournament.
Organisers have long moved on from any discussion over whether the pro-am format should be reconsidered.
“I think we”ve nailed something special. And if this wasn”t a pro-am, we wouldn”t be playing here for $2million. We”d be back in the old days.”
Hart said the tournament was financially in good shape.
Commercial revenue was up about 15% this year in a difficult market, there were eight new partners pumping cash into the coffers, and income from the boosted amateur playing fee — understood to be about $15,000 a player — had allowed organisers to invest in infrastructure.
While entry was now free for spectators so exact figures were unclear, Hart was certain there had been more people through the gates than in previous years.
“Our philosophy is we wanted to open the tournament up to people. It was a big call, because there”s potentially $300,000 in revenue that you”re saying no to.
“But we think it”s important the locals own this tournament, and they feel as though they can come in here.”
Golf New Zealand boss Jeff Latch has been on deck for the first Open of his tenure and has been impressed.
“It”s a remarkable event”, Latch said.
“I”ve been blown away by the level of organisation and the support from the players.
“From our standpoint, this is our critical event, and it”s just delightful to see how it”s grown over the last few years under the stewardship of John and his team.”
Latch said golf was booming with more than 500,000 New Zealanders playing the sport, which had experienced 10% growth in the past year.
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