New Zealand Golf Chief Executive Dean Murphy believes golf is ideally placed for future prosperity

Speaking recently as New Zealand Golf presented its annual report to its members and other stakeholders via on online annual general meeting.

While all parts of golf sector are fully focused on managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on golf in New Zealand, the organisation paused to briefly look back on a successful 2019.

After signalling an increased focused on participation initiatives at the close of 2018, New Zealand Golf was delighted to report that during 2019 the number of club memberships increased by 2.45%, the number of rounds played grew by 6% and the number of registered casual players grew by 15.8%. In total, there are now over 220,000 registered players in the country. Also, for the first time in 6 years, an increase in junior members (12%) and junior rounds played (13%) was achieved.

While there were many highlights across the organisation in 2019, the organisation remembers fondly the 100th staging of the New Zealand Open Championship. This was a significant milestone and appropriately celebrated in the stunning surrounds of The Hills and Millbrook Resort.

Although the organisations financial performance continues to be strong and have positive signs for the future, securing appropriate levels of sustainable revenue remains a challenging task, coupled with the unknown long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address the future challenges for the sport, New Zealand Golf recently released its new strategic plan for the 2020 to 2025 period. Entitled ‘Enriching Lives Through Golf’, the new strategy sets a compelling vision for the future of the sport and the role it can play across the communities of New Zealand.

New Zealand Golf believes golf is distinctive from other sports. It is a game that has a unique tradition and history that encompasses a values system that is unrivalled. It is the only sport that can be played competitively and equitably across all facilities in all conditions by participants of all ages and skill levels.

“We believe the game of golf provides unique, inclusive and lifelong enrichment for its participants. These unique attributes provide us the platform from which to sustain prolonged growth and prosperity for the sport.

“Golf is not immune to the challenges facing sport so it’s crucial we embrace the future and plan effectively to meet the changing needs of participants. This means not only sustaining what we currently have in terms of grass roots participation and performance success but delivering a sport that attracts a new generation of players who develop a lifelong love of the game.”