NZ Golf still chasing the dollars for proposed LPGA tournament in Auckland

New Zealand Golf’s $6 million plan to serve up a Lydia Ko-headlined LPGA tournament in Auckland remains on course, despite major funding challenges still in place.

It is understood that both the key central and local government funding agencies have indicated they are keen to support the event and are pushing heavily for it to be held in October or November.

The LPGA have also indicated a general willingness to bring a tournament to New Zealand and it is thought they have no major objections to the timing being pursued.

Though NZ Golf is not commenting at this stage on any of its plans for the event, it is understood that both Ateed (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) and Major Events NZ have made it clear that their full support was contingent on it being held in the October “shoulder” season.

NZ Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said the ambitious mission to convert the New Zealand Open into an LPGA-sanctioned tournament in Auckland remained very much a work in progress.

“We’re still working on funding and we’ve still got some big hurdles to get through,” he said.

It’s understood major sponsorship support, still in the millions of dollars, remains the last key hurdle left to clear, and NZ Golf has engaged a promoter to chase that backing.

Murphy would not comment on their negotiations with potential sponsors.

“We are continuing to work on it and hope to have a resolution in the next month or two,” he said.

It is also understood that a course in Auckland has been identified as the preferred option to host the event.

NZ Golf and government agencies believe Ko’s status as the world’s No 1 golfer and her global appeal are deserving of a showcase tournament in this country.

The last NZ Open, which Ko won for the third time, was held at Christchurch’s Clearwater course but was not televised and attracted few of the world’s leading golfers.

The LPGA Tour has tournaments in China, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia and Japan through its October schedule.

It is estimated that as much as $6 million in backing could be required to stage an LPGA tournament in New Zealand.

Source: Stuff