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New Zealand Golf Circuit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

New Zealand Golf Circuit
SportGolf
Founded1963
FounderNew Zealand Golf Association
First season1963
Ceased1980
CountriesBased in New Zealand
Most titlesMoney list titles:
New Zealand Bob Charles (6)
Tournament wins:
New Zealand Bob Charles (20)
Related
competitions
Charles Tour
Golf Tour of New Zealand

The New Zealand Golf Circuit was an annual series of professional tournaments held in New Zealand between 1963 and early 1980.

History

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A small number of professional tournaments had been held in New Zealand before 1963, the Caltex Tournament had been held annually since 1955 and the Wiseman's Tournament had been held in 1952, 1955 and 1958. However it was not until 1963 that a formal "circuit" was organised.[1] In its first season it was held in late August and September but from 1964 it was moved to a later date, generally starting in mid-November.[1][2] Initially the New Zealand PGA Championship, was not included in the circuit but from 1968-69 it was added, together with the Spalding Masters, extending the circuit into January.[3]

The circuit enjoyed considerable success for a number of years, but by 1979–80 it had been reduced to just three events.[4] From 1980 the New Zealand events were incorporated into the PGA Tour of Australia schedule and a combined Order of Merit was produced.[5][6][7]

Money list winners

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Season Winner Prize money (NZ$)
1979–80 Australia Rodger Davis 15,932
1978–79 New Zealand Bob Charles (6) 21,548
1977–78 Australia David Good 18,853
1976–77 New Zealand John Lister (2) 15,737
1975–76 United States Bill Brask 15,894
1974–75 New Zealand John Lister 12,075
1973–74 New Zealand Bob Charles (5) 10,100
1972–73 Australia Bill Dunk 7,759
1971–72 New Zealand Bob Charles (4) 10,588
1970–71 Australia Graham Marsh 8,400
1969–70 Australia Kel Nagle (2) 8,925
1968–69 New Zealand Bob Charles (3)
1967 New Zealand Bob Charles (2) 3,040
Season Winner Prize money (£NZ)
1966 New Zealand Bob Charles 1,595
1965 Australia Peter Thomson 1,568
1964 Australia Kel Nagle 1,741
Season Winner Points
1963 Australia Bruce Devlin 55

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "N.Z. to have own golf circuit, in September". The Press. No. 30075. 8 March 1963. p. 8. Retrieved 2 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  2. ^ "Later date for next year's N.Z. golf circuit". The Press. No. 30296. 23 November 1963. p. 16. Retrieved 2 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  3. ^ "Strong entry for N.Z. golf circuit". The Press. No. 31825. 1 November 1968. p. 15. Retrieved 2 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  4. ^ "The circuit". The Press. 8 November 1979. p. 23. Retrieved 2 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  5. ^ "Top of the list". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 November 1980. p. 85 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Charities get series check". Akron Beacon Journal. 12 December 1980. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "London, 9 Jan". The Age. 10 January 1981. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.