If you are going to be in Auckland on or around the weekend of 28 September to 1 October, then make sure you get yourself to one of Auckland’s newest golf clubs, Windross Farm. The newly constructed course located in Papakura will be playing host to the New Zealand Women’s Golf Open. Whilst New Zealand hosts a golf open for women every year, however this is the first time the country has played host to an official LPGA event.
Hosting the event will be our very own Lydia Ko – the former world number one will be joined by seven other major winners making a very strong field including 90 confirmed LPGA professionals. This is a fantastic opportunity to watch some of the world’s best golfers in action right here in Auckland.
Women’s Golf takes off in New Zealand
Lydia Ko’s emergence as one of the most exciting talents in world golf has certainly helped to get ladies out onto the golf course. Taking inspiration from Ko’s success, golf clubs up and down the country are now seeing a growth in female membership, especially amongst the juniors. Ko’s former club, Gulf Harbour Country Club located just north of Auckland runs regular golf clinics for female golfers as well as hosting an annual tournament for junior golfers which is held under Ko’s name.
Big prize money
As the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open has been officially classified as an LPGA event this year, the prize money for the event has soared. The total prize fund for the tournament is $1.85m – a huge increase on the $300,000 from last year, an event that Ko won at Clearwater.
Big players
To attract a field that includes eight major winners is testament both to the quality of golf here in New Zealand and the draw of Ko hosting the tournament. The big names flying into New Zealand include America’s Solheim Cup stars Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Danielle Kang. They will be joined by Canada’s Brooke Henderson, Korea’s Na Yeon Choi, Taiwan’s Yani Tseng and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.
Windross Farm
Playing host to the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open is Windross Farm. The course was designed in 2011 and opened in late 2016 and will provide a challenge for all of the 132 strong field at the event. Both front and back nine play similar lengths but play very differently, especially if the wind is up. There are four large lakes on the course which will provide not only a stunning back drop but also require the players to think their way around the course.
Tickets for the New Zealand Women’s Golf Open
Tickets for the event are still available and a Season Pass which will get you access to the course from Tuesday through to Sunday will cost you just $99.00. Under 16s go free so this is an event that is tailored towards families and aspiring junior golfers as well as those golf enthusiasts hopeful of catching a glimpse of the world’s best golfers.
For more ticket information, visit the official website.
Accommodation in Auckland
If you are thinking of heading up to Auckland and making a weekend of it, we still have accommodation available both in the heart of the city in our newly renovated Hotel Grand Windsor or just south of the CBD at Greenlane Suites. It’s just a short 35 minute drive from downtown Auckland and around 25 minutes from Greenlane Suites which has free parking for all guests making it an ideal venue for a weekend stay.
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