Report from NZ Newswire:
“The first major golf event in Christchurch since February’s 6.3-magnitude earthquake has provided a real boost to the sport and the region, New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy says.
“The New Zealand Open, which finished at Clearwater on Sunday, is the first international golf tournament in Christchurch since the New Zealand Women’s Open finished just two days before the devastating quake.
“Murphy said crowds during the last four days were excellent, with numbers for Thursday and Friday ahead of the previous New Zealand Open. The estimated final paid attendance was approximately 16,000.
“The Open returned to Christchurch for the first time in 26 years, and Murphy said it had been an undoubted success.
“‘There have been obvious challenges throughout the last year, not so much for us as tournament organisers but for the people of Christchurch in general,’ he said.
“From a logistical perspective, operational perspective, player perspective and local town perspective it been a great success… It’s been a really good thing for the city.”
“Murphy said the Open was very close to meeting budget.
“‘So from a financial perspective we are living within our means but it doesn’t mean we don’t have aspirations to grow the event.’
“Australian Brad Kennedy birdied the first extra hole to beat fellow Australian Craig Parry to win a playoff for the title.”
