Stellar line-up of stars, food and wine for ‘The 19th'

Wednesday January 23 2013

Stellar line-up of stars, food and wine ‘teed up’ for ‘The 19th’ at the NZPGA Championship

Entertainment at this year’s NZPGA Championship is shaping up to hit the mark with headline musicians, award-winning Central Otago wine and food, and fun activities for all on the menu.

The NZ PGA Championship is being held at New Zealand’s magnificent The Hills golf course near Queenstown from Thursday February 28 to Sunday March 3.

Tournament Director Michael Glading said the concept of the ‘19th Hole’ was well-accepted in golfing circles and was being taken to “a whole new level” for the second NZ PGA Championship.

“We trialled ‘The 19th’ last year, and taking on board what we learned from that we’ve moved it to a fantastic new location, and have very much “upped the ante” of the traditional 19th so it’s no longer just a beer at the clubhouse for players, ” he said.

“It will be an entertainment attraction in its own right, providing a relaxing and enjoyable family-friendly area in the perfect location on the course, with plenty of space to sit back and enjoy the scenery and plenty to do.”

For a ‘golf with a difference’ experience, Queenstown’s Over The Top helicopters will whisk guests to its mountain-top Extreme Golf Tee. Guests lift off for a birds’ eye view of the course to helicopter to the ultimate golf experience – having a mile high golf swing using the latest drivers and eco balls followed by a glass of champagne before returning to The Hills.

The 19th will be sited on the members' driving range, a central location right in the middle of the action.

Operating for all four days of the tournament, The 19th will feature wine from Waitiri Creek, Amisfield, Northburn, Akarua, Valli, Wild Earth and Gibbston Valley Wines, complementing food from Francesca Pizza, Waitiri Creek Pies, Wild Earth Gourmet BBQ and Devil Burger, to name but a few.

Two on-course bars – one at The 19th and the other at the ‘party hole’ 15th -- will be sponsored by Moa Beer, an award-winning Marlborough-based brew that was recently the official beer for New Zealand at the London Olympics.

Moa Marketing Manager Sunil Unka said Moa was “rapt” to secure another top tier sporting sponsorship following its support of the NZ Olympic team.

“As a super premium product, the NZ PGA Championship, and in fact all golf clubs, are the perfect environment to enjoy Moa,” he said.

“We’ve organised some fantastic competitions alongside the event, among others targeting golf clubs around New Zealand that stock Moa, with the ultimate prize giving one lucky golfer the chance to join the Moa Team to compete in the NZ PGA Challenge tournament.”

Mr Unka said Moa was “working hard” with the NZ PGA team to attract Queenstown locals and hopefully a new-untapped audience to golf.

“The on-course bars and activity should be like nothing ever seen at the golf before with plenty to entertain the golf enthusiast as well as those just looking for a great day out, promising to be a damn good time!” he said.

Mr Glading said it was “fantastic” to have a New Zealand-brewed beer as the NZ PGA’s official provider.

“That’s not only because of the exceptional quality of the beer, but also because it’s a New Zealand brew and one that has already established a great connection with New Zealand sports.”

Organisers have just announced details of a 'Saturday at the Hills - Hamper Package', which includes four Saturday tickets for the NZ PGA, four souvenir NZ PGA wine glasses, and a local wine and cheese hamper for $200.

Anyone who buys a Hamper Package on Ticketek before February 9 will go into a draw to win four tickets to the VIP area during the Saturday night open air concert featuring up-and-coming Kiwi singer songwriter Jamie McDell and local band The Lynch Mob.

Mr Glading said that while play from top-notch golf professionals and celebrities would be the major drawcard for many, there was also a focus on making The 19th a ‘must-attend’ event on the local summer calendar in its own right.

“The combination of beautiful late summer weather, a stunning location, great sporting action, the opportunity to wander the course and admire Sir Michael Hill’s amazing sculpture collection, The 19th, music, food and wine has to be a winning combination,” he said.

“It’s a hugely attractive day or two out for visitors or locals who don’t necessarily watch or participate in golf, and our aim is to see the NZ PGA Championship feature right up there with the best of the all-day sporting events, and the best of the region’s food and wine festivals over summer.”

Tickets are just $55 for the season (all four days), or $20 a day for Thursday and Friday, and $30 a day Saturday or Sunday. Children aged 10 to 17 are $15 for Saturday only (free all other days), and youngsters under 10 are free of charge. Entry to The 19th, all stalls and tents and the music concert is free to ticket holders.

For further information on the Championship or to purchase tickets go to www.pgachampionship.co.nz or www.ticketek.co.nz
Travel packages can also be booked through the NZ PGA site.

ENDS

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