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Jim Clelland
Some of the best golfers from yesteryear, and several
promising newcomers to the senior ranks, will be competing for
extra prize money at the Handa New Zealand tournament at
Millbrook, near Arrowtown, later this month.
The resort yesterday confirmed the total prize money for the
three-day event, from February 19-21, would be $200,000, up
$50,000, making it the richest on the New Zealand senior (for
golfers 50 years and older) tour.
The extra $50,000 comes courtesy of sponsor and patron Dr
Haruhisa Handa, a Japanese businessman, academic, artist and
philanthropist who always insists 10% of his sponsorship
money should go to helping other organisations.
The format for the Millbrook tournament varies significantly
from others on the tour, with three events being held within
the same tournament.
The Handa NZ Senior Masters is worth $100,000; the Harry
Handa Handicap event, which is based on handicap relevant to
the age of the player, is worth $70,000; and the team pro-am
event is worth $10,000.
The other $20,000 will be given to the International Blind
Golf Association and New Zealand Junior Golf.
Jim Clelland, the national events manager for the
Professional Golfers Association, yesterday said that as
entries for the Millbrook events had already closed, the
additional prize money, while welcome, would not entice more
players to compete.
But there was already a top line-up of professionals
confirmed for the three days, including former British Open
winner Sir Bob Charles and the 1990 US PGA Championship
winner Wayne Grady, who also won the 2007 Australian Senior
Open title.
Australian Mike Harwood, who won last October's Australian
Senior Open in Perth then scored his maiden win on the
European Seniors Tour, earning him Rookie of the Year status,
is also coming to Millbrook, as is Michael Clayton, runner-up
to Harwood in Perth.
Clelland also listed Australians Lyndsay Stephen and
American-based Graham Bannister, promising newcomers to the
senior tour, as ones to watch at Millbrook, while the New
Zealand contingent, spearheaded by Sir Bob, includes Simon
Owen, Barry Vivian, Jim Lapsley and Wanaka's Garth Domigan
and Peter Smith, the latter winning a senior title in Holland
last year.
The Millbrook tournament is part of a four-event senior
"swing' in the South Island this month, which ends with the
two-day $30,000 City of Dunedin Legends tournament, being
held by the Otago Golf Club at Balmacewen.
Seniors tournaments
In the South Island
February 16: $10,000 Club Car Pegasus Legends,
Christchurch.
February 19-21: $180,000 Handa NZ Senior Masters,
Millbrook.
February 23: $10,000 Club Car Queenstown Legends, Kelvin
Heights.
February 26-27: $30,000 City of Dunedin Legends Pro-Am,
Balmacewen.
