The Hills

The Hills Cure Kids Open raised more than $90,000 by the close of play on Saturday and competitors are already keen for a third tournament next year.

At the Four Nations Cup golf tournament held at The Hills course, Arrowtown, Sunday October 16.

Photos by Olivia Caldwell; prints available from otagoimages.co.nz.

Australia took the honours and the Southern Cross Cup in the inaugural Four Nations tournament by 11 shots from New Zealand in the four-round strokeplay event which concluded on the Hills course in Arrowtown yesterday.

After losing the New Zealand Open to Christchurch's Clearwater course, The Hills is working on its long-term goal of bringing another high-profile tournament to Arrowtown.

Media reports yesterday that this year's New Zealand Open will be held at The Hills golf course after all have puzzled course general manager Sam Gent.

Organisers of the The Hills Cure Kids Open, held at Michael Hill's The Hills golf course in Arrowtown, say they are delighted the third annual event not only raised $73,000 but also forged strong relationships with national business figures.

After months of waiting for a decision from New Zealand Golf on the future of its major tournament, The Hills hopes it may host the New Zealand Open again in 2012, general manager Sam Gent says.

The waiting will continue for golf fans with an announcement on the future of the New Zealand Open not expected until next month.

Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor has made an impassioned plea for the New Zealand Open to stay at a course he rates among the best in the world.

If the Wakatipu and The Hills were to lose the New Zealand Open, it would be a "tragedy", Queenstown-based businessman Sir Eion Edgar said yesterday.