From tens of thousands of New Zealand club golfers who entered a comp to play in this month’s NZ Open pro-am at Arrowtown’s Millbrook, who should win but a Millbrook member.
Organised by Golf NZ and NZ Open sponsor Hyundai NZ, the competition promised the winner return airfares and accommodation.
But for Queenstown motelier Samyul Lee, who plays Millbrook three times a week over summer, it’s the proverbial busman’s tour prize.
Despite an impressive 1.6 handicap, the Korean-born 58-year-old — a past president of the Korean Golf Association in NZ — never dreamt he’d be taking to Millbrook’s fairways and greens along with professional golfers and some of NZ’s top amateurs.
However, in many ways he’s a fitting winner as he’s been a volunteer caddy for Korean pros at the Open for seven years now.
And he’s also enjoyed a slice of luck on the golf course before, having scored an impressive three holes-in-one during 32 years playing the game.
Hyundai NZ chief exec Scott Kelsey says: "It’s every Kiwi golfer’s dream to play in an event like the NZ Open, and we look forward to sharing in various activities with Samyul both on and off the course in what will be a real celebration of golf.
"Even if it is being played on the course he’s on three days a week already."
The NZ Open runs from February 29 till March 3.
