The Open, scheduled for Millbrook from March 31 to April 3, was yesterday cancelled for a second straight year.
Organisers said continued border restrictions combined with rules under the Red light setting meant it was not possible to hold the tournament this year.
‘‘It is disappointing, because this is our pinnacle event," Pearce told the Otago Daily Times.
‘‘But you want to have full crowds, and you want to have the best possible field, so I think this is the right choice.
‘‘I know there will be a lot of disappointment, around Queenstown and the region, but what’s the point of holding it with a limited field and no fans on the course and contributing to the economy?
‘‘So, as hard a decision as this will have been, it’s the right one."
Pearce, who memorably won the 2003 Open at Middlemore, thought the organisers had done a fine job breathing life into the tournament over the years since it became a permanent fixture in Arrowtown.
A huge
carrot this year was that the top three finishers were to have earned themselves a direct entry to the British Open.
‘‘They’ve done a magnificent job in bringing the event up to the level that is is, and attracting the better Asian players and the next echelon of Kiwis and Aussies.
‘‘You want that to continue, and you want spectators there, and you want volunteers having some fun. Unfortunately, it’s just so restricted at the moment."
The next New Zealand Open has been provisionally scheduled for March 2-5, 2023, when Pearce will reflect on two decades since his fabulous victory.
‘‘It’s strange to think it will be 20 years. Holy heck," Pearce said.
‘‘I might have to dust the clubs off and try to get a start. It would be fun to play it again."
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult was equally disappointed at news of the cancellation but made a point of thanking organisers for stating their commitment to holding future events in the area.
Losing the Open due to the Omicron situation was rough for the district, which has been hit hard and often during the pandemic.
‘‘News that the New Zealand Open has been cancelled is another huge blow following similar announcements from Warbirds over Wanaka, the Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert, Challenge Wanaka, Queenstown Home Show and several others,” Boult said.
"Collectively, these events would have brought enjoyment to many thousands of visitors and locals as well as injecting millions of much-needed dollars into the district’s economy.
‘‘I’d like to praise the hard work and creativity of the NZ Open team, Millbrook Resort and all other event organisers who have been trying their absolute best to adapt their plans to enable the show to go on, as well as the support of their various sponsors and funding bodies."
Tournament chairman John Hart said organisers had done everything possible to give the Open its best chance to proceed.
‘‘However, with the current government restrictions in place, running an event that includes 250 players, 250 caddies, 500 volunteers, nearly 100 tournament staff and officials, plus numerous contractors, as well of course, spectators, is just not possible,” Hart said.
"After announcing in December that the New Zealand Open would proceed, including having direct entry into the prestigious 150th Open Championship at St Andrews for the leading three players, we are devastated to have now come to this decision.
"We remain fully committed to the tournament and the Queenstown region and we are now setting our sights on holding the 102nd New Zealand Open in 2023," Hart emphasised.
Golf New Zealand chief executive Dean Murphy thanked Millbrook, the tournament host and financial underwriter, for doing everything it could to hold the Open.
He also noted the impact the decision would have on New Zealand golfers.
"This cancellation only adds to the extremely difficult past two years that many of the leading New Zealand professionals and leading elite amateur players have had.
‘‘Opportunities have been severely limited, and we will be doing all we can in the immediate term to see if we can add a small event for domestic players, within the current restrictions, during the week that was set aside for the New Zealand Open.”
