Entertainment factor bigger in NZ’s premier golf tournament   18 Dec 2014

Tournament-goers at New Zealand’s number one golf event will be treated to even bigger and better entertainment at next year’s BMW New Zealand Open.

The 2015 BMW New Zealand Open tournament will be held at The Hills and Millbrook Resort Golf Clubs in Queenstown from March 12 to March 15 next year.

Open for all four days of the tournament, ‘The 19th’ at The Hills is fast becoming a ‘must-attend’ destination on the local summer calendar. A lively space appealing to golfers and non-golfers, with a great atmosphere, it will host a range of wine and beer, plenty of seats and shade, musical performances and a wide range of exhibitors.

It’s the perfect spot to sit back and relax, check the leader board, and watch the daily action live on the big screen.

Local food and beverage suppliers confirmed to date at ‘The 19th’ include the Empanada Kitchen, Patagonia Chocolates, Devil Burger, Francesca’s Pizza, Suma Sushi, The Meat Preachers and Pita Pit, with others still to come.

There’s also the added bonus of daily scheduled entertainment, new for 2015.Celebrity signings and kids’ activities will take place on each day of the tournament, raising the profile of ‘The 19th’ as a key social destination for visitors to the tournament and Queenstown this summer.

Popular Kiwi songwriter and musician Benny Tipene will headline the family-friendly ‘Open Sounds by Amisfield’ concert, taking place at ‘The 19th’ on the Friday evening of the tournament (March 13). The concert will start from 6pm after play finishes and is free for those attending the golf. Youngsters 18 and under gain free entry to the tournament each day.

Tournament director Michael Glading said ‘The 19th’ would be “bigger and better than ever before” and he sees the entertainment on offer this year as “top drawer”.

“We’re delighted to bring back such a high calibre of food, wine, music and entertainment to the tournament next year," he said.

"The 19th' makes it a hugely attractive few days for visitors or locals who don’t necessarily watch or participate in golf.

“As with the golf, we’ll be bringing in the crème de la crème of local talent, food and wine, all adding to the Open’s budding reputation as one of the world’s top-class sporting events.”

It’s not too late for potential exhibitors to be part of the event. They are still welcome to approach organisers to find out how they could be involved in ‘The 19th’ and learn about opportunities for their business.

Those opportunities are growing -- tournament organisers are expecting around 25,000 spectators to watch the event in Queenstown. Ticket sales are already ahead of where they were this time last year, so golf fans are being urged to buy day tickets or season passes online soon and get in early to book their trip.

Those who buy their tickets before Christmas go into a draw to win the finest Queenstown golf experience playing at The Hills, Millbrook Resort and Jack's Point.

More than 400 tickets have been given to golf clubs around the country as prizes for club members who took part in the hugely successful BMW New Zealand Open Day at the start of the month, raising money for charity ‘The First Tee’.

Tickets to the BMW New Zealand Open are on sale at www.ticketek.co.nz and for more information on the Open go to www.bmwnzopen.co.nz

ENDS

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