NZPGA Pro-Am Championship - Everything you need to know

Stunning view of ‘The 19th’ at the NZPGA Pro-Am Championship at The Hills, Queenstown
An early morning balloon flight over The Hills golf course in Queenstown showing marquees set up at ‘The 19th’ entertainment area for the start of the four-day NZPGA Pro-Am Championship.
Passengers enjoyed sunrise over the surrounding snow-capped mountains before floating gently over the immaculate golf course, to which thousands are expected to flock between now and Sunday.
Photo by Niels Koervers taken from a second balloon.

NZPGA Pro-Am Championship

Thursday March 29 to Sunday April 1

The NZPGA Pro-Am golf championship at the exclusive Hills golf course near Arrowtown is a ‘must do’ event for all golf and sports fans, as well as those looking for a ‘value-for-money’ day out with entertainment, food and wine. You do not need to be a golfer or love golf to spend a day on this stunning property in a majestic setting. There are magnificent vantage points, lovely hillocks where you could set out a picnic and amazing sculptures by Mark Hill and other renowned artists to appreciate as you wander the course.

Cost: Season Pass (four days) $55. Daily prices $20. Children aged 15 and under are FREE. Tickets available at www.ticketek.co.nz or on the gate

Time: 7:30am onwards daily until early evening

Transport: From Queenstown with pickup in Frankton

Thurs/Fri - hourly service from Station Building in Queenstown with pick up from the Frankton Bus Shelter.
Sat/Sun – half hourly service from Station Building in Queenstown with pick up from the Frankton Bus Shelter.
Cost - $6 each way – cash only – no booking required

From Arrowtown

Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun - from Ramshaw Lane to The Hills every 20 minutes over all four days of the event.
Cost - $3 each way - cash only – no booking required

Parking: $10 per day at The Hills – cash only

Format: 132 pros tee up on Thursday. Top 60 (plus ties) make the cut on Friday night. These play NZPGA Pro-Am championship on Saturday and Sunday with a range of international and national celebrities and sporting greats.

Players: Australian Brendan Jones is the top ranked player. David Frost, South Africa, ten time US PGA Tour winner Craig Parry, Peter O’Malley, Peter Fowler, David Smail, Mark Brown, and Phil Tataurangi are other names to watch. Top amateurs include Hollywood film star Don Cheadle, Sir Bob Charles, world amateur Number 1 Lydia Ko, Justin Marshall, Julie Coney, Andy Hayden, Jeff Wilson, Nick Farr-Jones, John Hart.

The 19th : Entertainment, food and beverage area tucked into a secluded natural amphitheatre.

Activities: SNAG Starting New At Golf (free) – for children and rookie adults – uses modified golf equipment to teach entry level golf

Sculpture displays (free) – sculpture by Michael Hill and others around the course

First Tee – charitable organisation running Saturday morning golf clinic with teenage golfer and world amateur number 1, Lydia Ko.

Milford Track Guided Walk (free) special walk to 15th tee – a spectacular area normally closed to the public. Daily bookings essential at Milford Track Guided Walk marquee.

Bouncy castle (free)

Food: Patagonia ice-cream; Provisions of Arrowtown; Fresh Fish Brothers; Francesca Pizza; Gourmet Pies; Gibbston Valley Wine and Cheeses; Coffee; Gourmet BBQ’s

Wine: Waitiri Creek; Northburn; Wild Earth; Akarua; Valli

Bar: The 19th Heineken Bar; also Heineken Bar at the 15th hole

Spa: Custom built pavilion - eforea: Spa at Hilton offering luxury pampering

Dinner: Thurs, Fri, March 29 and 30. Dinner by Masterchef Josh Emmett at The Hills. Six-course menu matched with award winning Central Otago wines. Cost: $225 per person. Bookings: jscott@thehills.co.nz

Bring: Hat, sunscreen, warm layers, raincoat, flat shoes.

Course: Set over 500 acres of former deer farm near Arrowtown, encircled by the Remarkables Mountains, 180-degree views include Coronet Peak and the Crown Range. Developed as Michael Hill’s own private golf course. Hosted three consecutive New Zealand Open Championships from 2007-2009.

Sponsors: Brand New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Hilton Queenstown, Michael Hill, Milford Track Guided Walk, Rebel Sport, SkyCity

More info: www.pgachampionship.co.nz

Map: available upon request (6MB)

ENDS

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