Sir Michael Hill has never been one to follow the herd and he is not about to start now.
At a function at The Hills, near Arrowtown, on Wednesday night launching the 2014 NZ Open, Sir Michael said
the community was about to do ''something truly remarkable''.
''This is the first open in the world that's going into a pro-am format. I've always believed ... if you follow the pack, it's very difficult; but if you do something unusual, you can do great things.
''I just hope that in my lifetime I see this grow to not only be one of the most significant sporting events in this country, but a major event that's recognised globally.''
The NZ Open will be held between February 27 and March 2 next year at The Hills and Millbrook Resort.
It will feature 132 professionals playing with 132 amateurs.
A cut will be made on February 28, with the top 60 professionals and top 35 teams going on to play on the Saturday at The Hills.
A second cut would be made on the Saturday night, with the top 10 teams and the top professionals going through to the final day.
Michael Hill Tournaments Ltd, NZ Golf and NZ PGA have pooled resources to create the single super tournament.
NZ Golf has licensed MHTL to organise and take responsibility for funding, presenting and underwriting it for three years.
Sir Michael said it was ''an absolute thrill'' to have the NZ Open back at The Hills.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the open was one of two major events the council was supporting through its special events fund.
The other was the Queenstown International Marathon next year.
