Kinloch Club To Host Inaugural PGA Event In NZ

Kinloch Club To Host Inaugural PGA Professional Powerplay Golf Event In New Zealand

PGA Professionals from across New Zealand set to take on new risk-reward 9-hole format

5th September 2011

To kick start the second half of the 2011 season, PGA Professionals from across the length and breadth of the country will congregate at The Kinloch Club, near Taupo on September 19th to take part in New Zealand’s inaugural Powerplay Golf event.

After superstars like Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Paula Creamer, John Daly and Gary Player competed in PPG’s inaugural ‘Ignition’ tournament at Celtic Manor on May 31st, professionals and club officials from around the globe have been signing up as Official PowerPlay Golf Venues on a daily basis. All of them attracted by the nine-hole game’s potential to increase participation at their golf club, and by its obvious financial benefits. Following the success of Ignition, which was broadcast live to over 30 countries around the globe, the next international event is set to be held in Shanghai on November 7th.

The Kinloch Club is New Zealand's only Jack Nicklaus designed course and has been rated highly internationally since opening in 2007 as well as being acclaimed by leading players such as Sir Bob Charles. Allowing little room for error, the course is perfectly suited to the innovative risk-reward format and will provide a stern test for New Zealand's professional golfers.

Clearly recognising the potential for PowerPlay Golf, Tom Long, Director of Golf and resident professional at The Kinloch Club said; “The PowerPlay Golf event offers a unique opportunity for professionals to partner with the golf clubs that have supported their careers, by offering a $5,000 donation to the club nominated by the winning professional. Clubs must be enrolled as an official PowerPlay Golf venue to receive the donation.”

“The Kinloch Club is difficult in normal circumstances and I'm looking forward to testing the imagination of our local PGA players with some tempting black flag placements,” commented Jim Clelland, NZPGA Tournament Director, who will be responsible for setting the challenge for the players.

PowerPlay Golf is played over nine holes and uses a modified Stableford points system to allow for rapid movement within a competition. There are two flags on each green – White and Black. The Black Flag is generally, but not always in the harder position. When players go for a PowerPlay, which means playing to the Black Flag, they score double points if they shoot net birdie or better. Golfers must play to the White Flag when not on a PowerPlay.

Players must go for exactly 3 PowerPlay’s in their first eight holes. There is an option to take a bonus PowerPlay on the ninth (last hole), but if they do, they risk scoring -3 points for net bogey or worse. Golfers must nominate a PowerPlay before they take their tee shot. Once nominated, and the shot taken, a PowerPlay cannot be withdrawn.

A second PowerPlay Golf PGA event in New Zealand has already been scheduled and will be held at Pegasus Golf and Country Club near Christchurch on October 13th.

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