Green light for New Zealand Open — at this stage

Next year's New Zealand Open is going ahead — at this stage.

The tournament’s organising committee admit it is difficult to justify staging the event under New Zealand’s current covid-19 restrictions but at this point the intention is to continue as planned.

The tournament, which is to be held at Millbrook Resort at Arrowtown, near Queenstown, from March 31-April 3, will probably be dominated by New Zealanders because of the need for visitors to quarantine for seven days days.

Tournament chairman John Hart said: "We believe that it will be very difficult to convince foreign national professionals to take an extra week out of their playing schedule, particularly at a time when other tournaments around the world are getting back to a more normal situation.

“In all probability, our only option will be to run a tournament that mainly features Kiwis, and we are delighted that a number of New Zealand’s leading professionals, including Ryan Fox, Mike Hendry, Josh Geary and others have signalled their support for the event, regardless of format.

“Our process will now be to consult with our tour partners, international players, amateurs, sponsors and other key funding agencies to ascertain what might be possible, and indeed, if we are able to run a financially viable and high-quality event.”

Hart said the tournament provides a significant platform to promote tourism to New Zealand and this is something that will be desperately needed once international borders re-open.

The New Zealand Open has been placed upon the government approved event list, and while it is possible for some international players to attend, the challenge faced is the need for players to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival without access to practice facilities.

A further announcement on the future of the 102nd New Zealand Open and its playing format will be made within the next few weeks.