Tuesday 31 October 2006 – International banking and financial services company, HSBC, today confirmed a three-year sponsorship deal to secure the naming nights to the New Zealand PGA Championship, one of the key events on the PGA Tour of Australasia golfing calendar. The event will be known as the HSBC NZ PGA Championship.
The USD$600,000 event, co-sanctioned with the US PGA Nationwide Tour will be staged at its permanent home, the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from February 22 – 25, 2007. The Championship will again be managed by Tuohy Associates.
Norman Wilson, CEO of HSBC New Zealand said, ‘HSBC in New Zealand is delighted to sponsor the HSBC NZ PGA Championship. Golf is one of the most popular and fastest growing sports worldwide. This sponsorship is an excellent fit with HSBC’s business, and the lifestyles and interests of our customers."
"This sponsorship not only enables us to support HSBC’s global involvement in golf, it also assists HSBC’s efforts to raise awareness of what services and products provides in New Zealand and how it can meet the needs of the customers here."
HSBC is a major sponsor of golf worldwide, most notable with the HSBC World Match Play Championship in the UK, the HSBC Women’s Match Play Championship in the United States and the HSBC Champions Tournament in China. The winner of the HSBC NZ PGA qualifies for the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. The $US5 million tournament is the largest on the Asian circuit.
PGA of New Zealand President, Dennis Clark welcomed HSBC into the family of PGA sponsors. "HSBC have a proud tradition of supporting golf globally" he said, "and the PGA is pleased to be able to add our Championship to HSBC’s tournament portfolio. On behalf of all PGA members I extend our thanks to HSBC and look forward to working with them over the next three years."
Ben Sellenger, CEO of the PGA Tour of Australasia said the support HSBC, who are regarded as one the world’s major supporters of golf, was greatly welcomed and a genuine endorsement of the event. "We are excited by the announcement that HSBC have expanded their worldwide association with golf into the Australasian region and the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship. The HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship promises to be another outstanding event at what is a fantastic venue, and once again will provide exceptional playing opportunities for our members both here and in the US."
Bill Calfee, Nationwide Tour said the Nationwide is delighted to be returning to Christchurch at the Clearwater Golf Club for what I am sure will be another exciting NZ PGA Championship. This Championship promises to be the best yet and our players look forward to another trip to Christchurch. The competition will be very strong; however I am confident that out players will be up to the challenge.
The 2007 HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship will again be screened live by TV3 over the four days will broadcast the newly branded event live each day and provide pictures to a global audience of in excess of 160 million households.
The announcement of HSBC’s sponsorship has been warmly welcomed and is endorsed by the City of Christchurch’s investment to secure the Championship in the Canterbury region for the next three years.
‘I am delighted that HSBC has been confirmed as the title sponsor for HSBC NZ PGA Championship to be held at the Clearwater Resort in February next year. The championship is hugely important to Christchurch and I am sure that this partnership with HSBC will be a rewarding one," said Garry Moore, Mayor of Christchurch.
NZPGA Chairman Richard Ellis said, "The board of the NZPGA and our members is proud to be associated with HSBC and acknowledge HSBC’s commitment to golf throughout the world."
About HSBC
Established in 1865 to finance the growing trade between China and Europe, today HSBC is a world leader. Headquartered in London, HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. HSBC’s international network comprises over 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.
With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by nearly 200,000 shareholders in some 100 countries and territories. The shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts.
Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services: personal financial services; commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; private banking; and other activities.
For more information visit www.hsbc.com or phone Jacqui Millar, on 09 918-8742.
About HSBC & Golf
HSBC’s international investment and support for golf continues to grow. In addition to its existing title sponsorship of three leading tournaments worldwide – the HSBC World Match Play Championship, held at Wentworth, England (September 14-17, 2006), the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm, New Jersey, USA (July 6-9, 2006) and the HSBC Champions, Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai (November 9-12, 2006) – HSBC earlier this year also added the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open at Emeralda Golf Club in Jakarta (March 2006).
HSBC’s international sponsorship portfolio is not only indicative of the bank’s alliance to one of the world’s most popular sports, but also reflects the values of integrity and honesty which HSBC and golf share. With a program that spans more than 25 markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia, HSBC’s commitment to golf is also an excellent fit with the geography of HSBC’s business.
As ‘the ‘world’s local bank’, HSBC is using its position as a worldwide sponsor of golf and its understanding of local markets to help develop the game at all levels, including in Indonesia (HSBC Indonesia Open), Canada (National Founding Partner of the Canadian Junior Golf Association) and Thailand (HSBC’s Junior Golf Camps). In 2005, HSBC staged more than 300 golf related events worldwide.
For more information about HSBC’s global commitment to golf, visit www.hsbcgolf.com
About the PGA of New Zealand
The PGA of New Zealand was founded by twelve Golf Professionals in 1913, and is the third oldest such Association in the world. Today the PGA has 340 members and provides professional services to approximately one hundred of New Zealand’s 400 clubs and courses. The PGA is responsible for delivering professional teaching services to golfers at all levels, from junior to senior, amateur and professional, men and women. The PGA Academy of Golf manages educational programmes for both trainees and qualified professionals. The PGA also runs tournament and events designed to provide its members with competitive playing opportunities and pathways onto the major golfing tours of the world. Events run under the PGA Order of Merit allow for successful players to gain playing rights in Australia and beyond.
Since 1913, the PGA of New Zealand has established new standards of excellence by expanding educational opportunities, programmes and services for its members. At the same time, the Association stands firm and continues to flourish on the principles that were set down by its founders. Website: www.pga.org.nz
About the NZPGA Championships
The NZPGA Championship was first won by J.H Kirkwood in its inaugural year in 1920. The event was played for 19 years and won 6 times over that period by A J Shaw before it was cancelled from 1940-1945 due to WW2. Resuming in 1946 A J Shaw had lost none of his touch and won the first post war event. The tournament was played annually with just two cancellations between 1946 and 1987. Over that period Australian Kel Nagle equaled A J Shaw’s record of seven NZ PGA Titles. From 1920 – 1964 this title was decided on matchplay in conjunction with the New Zealand Open and the Amateur championships. In 1965, the tournament was taken over by the NZPGA and played as a 72-hole stroke play Championship. The tournament was not contested between 1988 – 2003 with Frank Nobilo the last winner of the event before it was cancelled in 1987. The NZPGA returned in 2004 and was won by Australian Gavin Coles with another Australian, Peter O’Malley, winning in 2005. In 2006 Canadian Jim Rutledge shot an eight-under 64 on the last day to move from 25th to first, defeating Brett Rumford and Jarrod Lyle by one stroke. Web site: www.pgachampionship.co.nz
Clearwater Resort, where the event is played, is a par 72-championship layout designed by John Darby in consultation with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles. The course combines elements of links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses with parkland golf, more reminiscent of Florida.
About the PGA Tour of Australasia
The PGA Tour of Australasia is the official sanctioning organisation for tournament golf in Australasia. The PGA TOUR encompasses tournament in golf in Australia, New Zealand and into Asia. The purpose of the PGA Tour of Australasia is to provide significant playing and earning opportunities for its members, at all times upholding the integrity and values of the game. The official charity of the PGA Tour of Australasia is the Heart Foundation. Several events are held annually to support the Heart Foundation through fundraising and awareness. The PGA Tour of Australasia’s website is www.pgatour.com.au
Contact:
Bob Tuohy
Tuohy Associates
61 8 8373 2021 / 61411131 627
bobtuohy@tagolf.com.au
Mob: 0419 425 406
www.pgatour.com.au
John Durning
Durning Public Relations
105 Victoria St
Christchurch
Ph: (03) 365-2579
Fax (03) 377-7172
Mob: 0274-373-286