Golf: SBS Invitational rescheduled to March

The Otago men's team will not have the opportunity to defend the SBS Invitational title after this year's event, which was to be played on November 12-13, was cancelled this week.

A lack of support from several of the larger provinces has led to the decision. The organisers are planning to reschedule the event for March next year.

The event has been under a cloud since being moved from March to December, leaving the team's strokeplay event less than a month before the national interprovincial match play event.

This year's event would have been the 40th anniversary of the successful tournament which began in March 1977 and has continued annually since.

Golf Southland spokesman and Jack's Point Golf Director John Griffin is pleased the event will return to its traditional dates.

"It has been very successful before the change and the course is in pristine condition early in the year,'' Griffin said.

"We have gone back to all of the provinces with the new date and we have provided increased travel allowances for competing teams.

"We are putting $25,000 up to assist with team's travel as well as providing $5,000 in prize vouchers.

Golf Southland expects to confirm if the March event will go ahead when it gets feedback from the provinces.

"We expect to confirm the event by the end of this month but it is important that the larger provinces support the event to ensure its future.''

Last November, the Otago men's quintet won the title by an impressive 28 shots and the team is keen to compete once again.

It would be a travesty if the provinces do not support the tournament which injects more than $30,000 of sponsorship into New Zealand amateur golf.

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