The New Zealand Women’s Open has got trickier, thanks to New Zealand golfer Tania Tare.
She has been invited to play the McKayson-sponsored tournament at Windross Farm in south Auckland from September 28-October 1.
The event will be tricky enough for most in the field because it has become part of the LPGA Tour, the world’s richest golf circuit for women, but Tare will bring her own form of trickery.
Tare has developed a trick-shot routine which caught the attention of United States’ sports broadcasting giant ESPN, the PGA show, Golf Channel and Golf Digest. She has also been a hit on social media with 65,000 followers on Instagram and 20 million views on Facebook.
Her signature move is the Laybourne trick where the club is flipped over her front shoulder and she catches it before hitting the ball.
Her ability to flip clubs and juggle, chip and bounce balls has hugely elevated Tare’s profile.
Tare’s approach to finding new tricks is ‘simple enough that people can try it, but hard enough that they can’t do it’.
She said was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to compete on such a big stage in her home country.
“I feel really privileged to be offered an exemption into the New Zealand Women’s Open this year,’’ Tare said.
“The pathway to the top for professional golf is a grind and opportunities like this don’t come by too often.
“Exemptions can be game changers. And for me, I also like the idea of being part of such a big moment for women’s golf in New Zealand. The LPGA coming to New Zealand is a huge step in the best direction, bringing the best women’s players from around the world. It feels crazy to be considered a part of that selection.’’
Tim Watts, commercial director of The Clubhouse, the company promoting the New Zealand Open, said Tare brought a new dimension to the tournament.
“Tania is drawing thousands of people to golf through her trick shots and her massive following on social media, which has attracted the attention of people who would not be drawn to the sport otherwise,” Watts said.
“She has been badly affected by injury in recent years — most players would have given up by now, but Tania has persevered and doesn’t tire of the hard work.”
Tare came through the New Zealand Golf high performance programme and earned a golf scholarship to Florida International University, graduating in 2013 after a successful college career. Since then she has had three wrist surgeries over a frustrating three-year period but is now back to full fitness.
Tare has also landed sponsorship from car rental company Avis
Avis Pacific managing director Kaye Ceille said: “Tania’s dedication to her sport and willingness to work hard whilst retaining a smile on her face fits perfectly with our brand value of ‘We Try Harder.’ We are thrilled to support her in her endeavours as part of our sponsorship involvement with the first ever LPGA event to be held in New Zealand, which lines up well for us asthe official rental vehicle sponsor for the tournament.”