Amateur field for centenary Open filled

Crowds watch the pros at work during the 2018 NZ Open. Photo: Getty Images
Crowds watch the pros at work during the 2018 NZ Open. Photo: Getty Images
The amateur field for next year's NZ Open has already sold out.

Chairman John Hart said yesterday the field would increase to 152 professionals and an equal number of amateurs for the 2019 pro-am event, which would be the centenary of the Open, up from 144 this year.

"Ninety-five percent of last year's players ... are coming back again ... it's pretty impressive and we've got a significant waiting list."

Hart said, in time, the field could increase to 180 pros and amateurs, split over three courses.

At present the tournament is played between Millbrook and The Hills. However, Hart said tournament organisers were in discussions with Jacks Point, with a view to it becoming the third course in the next three to five years.

Should Hogans Gully Farm Ltd, which has lodged resource consent to establish a $30 million, 18-hole championship golf course and associated facilities, including 96 homes, on a 132ha site near Arrowtown, gain approval, it too would become an integral part of the long-term structure of a three-course formatted NZ Open.

"I was fortunate enough to play in the Dunhill 15 years ago and I think both the Dunhill and the AT&T are [a field of] 180, so it gives us the ability to grow that, which obviously gives us more professional starts and also it's another income generator by having more amateur spots to add internationally.

"I'm very committed to doing all I can to promote the tournament, make it a great tournament long-term and Queenstown, hopefully, will be the long-term beneficiary."

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