Media Release 12 December 2005 1 page
Christchurch City to host first World Schools Golf Challenge
Top young golfers from around the world will be on show in April next year when Christchurch hosts the inaugural World
Schools Golf Challenge.
The four-round stroke play event is expected to pit New Zealand school teams against those from schools in the United
States, Britain, Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and South Africa. At least 50 teams are expected to take part.
Teams will be made up of pupils and immediate past pupils (between 13 and 19 years old) and the tournament proper will
run from 10-14 April, with practice rounds and warm-ups being played from 7 April.
The event has the support of the Christchurch City Council, New Zealand Golf, the Canterbury Golf Association and the
New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Association. New Zealand golfing legend Sir Bob Charles will be tournament patron.
The tournament involves boys, girls and mixed teams, with two rounds a day over four days. Players and supporters will
also be able to take part in sightseeing, educational and coaching programmes and several local schools have been
invited to take part as host schools.
Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore says, “the World Schools Golf Challenge would be a major asset to the city which already
had a huge reputation as a centre of golfing excellence in New Zealand.
“Four Christchurch clubs have been invited to host the event which is expected to provide a major boost to the local
economy and to our reputation as a golf-friendly region.”
Golf promoter and tournament organiser Paul Gleeson, of Vintage Sports & Leisure Ltd in Auckland, says it will become an annual international event. It is designed to assist promising young
school golfers around the world to develop their skills on new courses and in an environment of friendly competition
with their peers from other countries.
“We are confident this inaugural event will be the forerunner to an outstandingly successful tournament on the
international golf calendar,” Mr Gleeson says.
- For more information, look on the web at www.schoolsgolf.com
ENDS