New Zealand Golf Circuit

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

This article is about the main professional golf tour based in New Zealand between 1963 and 1980. For the later tour founded in 2004, see Golf Tour of New Zealand.
New Zealand Golf Circuit
SportGolf
Founded1963
FounderNew Zealand Golf Association
First season1963
Ceased1980
CountriesBased in New Zealand
Most titlesMoney list titles:
Bob Charles (6)
Tournament wins:
Bob Charles (20)
Related
competitions		Charles Tour
Golf Tour of New Zealand

History

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
SeasonWinnerPrize money (NZ$)
1979–80 Rodger Davis15,932
1978–79 Bob Charles (6)21,548
1977–78 David Good18,853
1976–77 John Lister (2)15,737
1975–76 Bill Brask15,894
1974–75 John Lister12,075
1973–74 Bob Charles (5)10,100
1972–73 Bill Dunk7,759
1971–72 Bob Charles (4)10,588
1970–71 Graham Marsh8,400
1969–70 Kel Nagle (2)8,925
1968–69 Bob Charles (3)
1967 Bob Charles (2)3,040
SeasonWinnerPrize money (£NZ)
1966 Bob Charles1,595
1965 Peter Thomson1,568
1964 Kel Nagle1,741
SeasonWinnerPoints
1963 Bruce Devlin55

See also

References
  1. "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.
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