Chris Bishop

National List MP based in the Hutt Valley

Media statement

2 June 2016

Government support for international golf in Hutt

Chris Bishop, the National List MP based in the Hutt Valley has welcomed today’s announcement of $900,000 of government funding to support Upper Hutt’s Royal Wellington Golf Club in hosting the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

“Congratulations to the applicants for their success in securing funding for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship from the Major Events Development Fund. The Royal Wellington Golf Club is one of our country’s most historic and picturesque golf courses and the potential exposure of the Hutt to an international audience is huge,” says Mr Bishop.

“The top 120 amateur players from the Asia-Pacific region who play in this tournament will not only help inspire future New Zealand golfers, they will also bring economic activity and growth to the Hutt Valley. The four-day tournament will be broadcast to over 150 countries and will be a fantastic promotion of the Hutt.

“Players also bring support staff, friends and family, and members from international golf clubs such as St Andrews and Augusta, who all combine to boost the local economy. This means jobs for locals and good outcomes for our community.

“The MEDF is a commitment to New Zealand’s major events sector to help attract high-quality major events which delivering benefits to New Zealand while at the same time promoting us to the world.”

The annual Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is one of the largest tournaments of its type in the world, with the winner rewarded with a place at the 2018 Masters Tournament held at the Augusta National Golf Club, and a chance to compete in the Open Championship.

The Royal Wellington Golf Club will host the 72 hole stroke play tournament from 23-30 October 2017, which will see 120 of the best amateur male golfers from 40 Asia-Pacific countries travel to New Zealand for the Tournament.

ENDS

© Scoop Media