mrbojumbles

The New Zealand Open – in a nutshell

// February 8th, 2010 // Experience, Johnnie Walker Golf Club News

Just over a week ago, Michael Hill’s private playground in Arrowtown played host to the 92nd New Zealand Open Championship – an event steeped in history but an uncertain future looms on its horizon.

(A mrbojumbles piece as seen on Johnnie Walker Golf Club)

At 107 in the world, kiwi number one David Smail was the highest ranked player in the field of 156 saturated by Australians and Americans. You had to scroll down to around the 250 mark for the next horses to come in, giving Smail the favourite tag and the local patrons hope of a first Kiwi champion since Mahal Pearce in 2003. And while the tournament did miss the presence of Michael Campbell, Tim Wilkinson, Mark Brown, and a big name headline act – it still provided some fireworks for galleries.

One of the many brilliant art sculptures made by Michael Hill's son sprinkled around the Hills

What it lacked in profile it made up for in drama, with a complete unknown by the name of Robert Gates in the leading role. The 24-year-old Texan joined Smail in the lead late on day one at seven-under and never surrendered it. Well, almost never. As Gates pressed his advantage each day over the field, his laid back post round attitude made it seem as though he didn’t know what was at stake. A debut victory on a tour he’s never played, the final Sunday pairing in a national open, his name etched on a cup alongside some greats, a big boost to securing his PGA Tour card for next season, not to mention 108,000 US big ones.

Gates arrived on the first tee on Sunday with a three shot buffer over Dodt, which he stretched to six by the eighth. His cool, calm and collective nature had shown no chinks until the late Sunday pinch arrived. With the tournament seemingly in the bag, Gates dished out a couple of double fist pumps to the patrons as he made his way to the next tee, and at that moment the winds stiffened and so too did Gates’ swing.

The tenacious Aussie Dodt sunk a couple of clutch putts while bogeys were replacing the familiar birdies on Gates’ card. And when Gates putted out for a double on the 16th it became a two horse race. All square with two to play – Tournament on! A double for Dodt at the very next hole blunted his charge, giving the American the luxury of a two stroke lead up the 72nd. But Dodt’s 21-foot birdie effort (which was worth about $20,000 US to claim second alone) forced Gates to make the biggest three foot putt of his life, which he calmly put away. His par putt on the last secured the one shot wire-to-wire victory, and in the process he became the 13th player in Nationwide Tour history to win on debut.

As for the local challenge, only five made the weekend, with Josh Geary’s tie for 9th making him the leading Kiwi for the second consecutive year. David Smail fell off the pace, but the week may have reignited some form for the struggling Phil Tautaurangi, who carded a two-over 74 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 16th.

And while Gates’ exploits jumped him to a modest 366 in the world rankings, like many past champions before him, our Open has been the catalyst to go on to bigger and better things. Look out for Robert Gates amongst the bright lights of the PGA Tour in twenty eleven, and perhaps back in Queenstown.

But crucial details of where, when, and the sanctioning status of the tournament’s future still remain up in the air, with New Zealand Golf suggesting that answers to these questions could be months away. The event currently falls under the Nationwide Tour umbrella, followed by the Moonah Classic in Melbourne – a tournament whose future’s looking shaky. Should Moonah drop out of the Nationwide schedule, the Nationwide Tour may not want to co-sanction just our national title (in this part of the world); thus forcing New Zealand golf to find other tours to get involved with the little old New Zealand Open at the bottom of the world. This, combined with organisers keen to see the event move around the country, and the likes of American billionaire Julian Robertson also throwing his hat into the ring by wanting to host the event at his Cape Kidnappers course in Hawke’s Bay -has given New Zealand Golf plenty to chew over.

Prime minister John Key made an appearance at the Open, coinciding his visit to the Hills with the opening of the new extensions to the Millbrook resort. As Minister of Tourism (and a rather influential chap in this country), Prime Minister Key put his vote of confidence behind the future of the event to remain in Queenstown, which surely can’t be ignored by New Zealand Golf.

“Well, we’re certainly not opposed to it being down here. I think it’s a magnificent course, and it’s been a great place to show New Zealand to the rest of the world. In the end it’s a decision for New Zealand Golf, but the government’s supported this event and we’d continue to support it if it was here in the future… How much better can it get than the Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open?”, Prime Minister Key said.

What we have been assured about the New Zealand Open is that one will be staged in twenty-eleven. But with money being the driving factor of these decisions, it will be interesting to see if New Zealand Golf will look past Queenstown to host the next tournament after the success of its stay at the Hills. Wherever it’s contested next, it’s sure to be another fantastic week. So as soon as tickets are available people, round up your mates and get along because pro golf tournaments are few and far between on our shores. Let’s support them so they may long continue.

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