Dean Murphy last month finished up after 16 years as chief executive of Golf New Zealand. During that time Dean contributed a column for Golfer Pacific for several years and this is his farewell column.

Reflecting on 16 years with Golf New Zealand

As I write this I have a range of mixed emotions as I conclude my time with Golf New Zealand. 

While I’m excited for what’s next, I also know that my time at Golf New Zealand will in many ways be the very best work years of my life.

Thinking back to when I first started at Golf New Zealand (or New Zealand Golf as it was known then), it was such a different organisation. 

I clearly remember the excitement I had prior to starting – I accepted the job without knowing the salary details and did so all on the fact that the job description had the golf silver fern printed on the back of it.

I was so proud to be going to work for a national sporting body, and that pride has remained with me and front of mind throughout my time with this wonderful organisation.

As I look back, it is amazing to me how much the organisation has changed. On my first day we had 12 people and a mandatory half hour stop for morning tea which was a condition of the recently minted amalgamation between women’s and men’s golf. 

These days we are five times bigger in terms of turnover and we are a group of 80-odd people who are undertaking pieces of work that we couldn’t have imagined 16 years ago.

It’s a change that has been an amazing ride, and I know Bill MacGowan, who thankfully employed me, would be so proud of where we have got to. When I think about moments that have made me proud over the past 16 years, there is a lot to draw on.

Some of my favourite memories will be:

·       The world-renowned Love Golf campaign and the Ko goes pro video that started it all.

·       Establishing the New Zealand Women’s Open when no one thought we could, and then bringing a LPGA event to New Zealand.

·       Launching The Charles Tour and then partnering with engineering designers MTL to secure the future of the New Zealand Open at Millbrook.

·       Dreaming up so many new initiatives such as Flexiclub, She Loves Golf, Futures, Junior Tiger, Make Time Play 9 – the list goes on.

·       Establishing the New Zealand Golf Hall of Fame and the incredible new Golf NZ brand.

·       Driving the sport's first partnership project which is being admired around the world including the unique PGA partnership and the wonderful New Zealand Māori Golf partnership.

·       Instigating the Women and Girls' charter, Our Ambition for Women and Girls, and Our Inclusion Charter.

·       Leading our sectors' response to the challenges we faced during the covid-19 pandemic.

·       Perhaps most significantly, merging the DotGolf and Golf NZ websites into one website and then negotiating the 100 percent purchase of DotGolf and growing the business into a hugely successful international operation.

Last but not least, having an armchair ride to watch a very special New Zealander win major championships and Olympic Games. It has been a rare privilege to be inside the ropes with Lydia Ko as she has conquered the world – all the while ensuring she kept connected to her Kiwi roots and the people who supported her development.

While reflecting on these things, most of all, I’m genuinely proud to be leaving the organisation in it's best possible shape. We have never been stronger in terms of playing numbers, and the organisation has never had a stronger financial base. The organisation is now perfectly placed for a new leader to take it forward to new heights.

While it’s fun to look back at all we’ve done, the key thing that has made all this possible is the people who have worked here. Golf New Zealand is a special organisation that is driven by special people.

Since announcing my resignation four months ago, I have been inundated with messages from staff members (past and present), and people across the New Zealand and international sporting world. 

What has been totally consistent in the messages I’ve received is the high regard in which our organisation is held, and the admiration held for our people and our culture.

There is no question the successes we have enjoyed has been driven by amazing people who have worked under a shared culture. It is a privilege to work in sport and it is so pleasing to me that our people are known for their outstanding work and a culture that always sees them go above and beyond to achieve great things.

It has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of the Golf New Zealand family for so long. The game of golf and this organisation will always have a very special place in my heart. Golf truly enriches lives and I know it will continue to do so for me for many years to come.

Parkland Products which is the exclusive New Zealand distributor of Toro mowing and turf renovation equipment, Ventrac tractors and Yamaha golf carts.