FEATURE

More celebrities confirmed for BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

By Southern PR

Organisers of New Zealand’s premier golf event today (March 1) have confirmed the remaining celebrities to converge on Queenstown next week.
 
The celebrity players announced today will compete in the 144 strong Pro-Am field at the BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open (March 10 to 13). They include cricketers Sir Ian Botham, Simon Doull and Mark Richardson, Japan rugby union player Kosei Ono and BMW representatives Jeff Wilson and Josh Emett.
 
Popular New Zealand TV actor and entertainer Shane Cortese is joining the trans-Tasman ANZ Celebrity Challenge, replacing Andrew Mehrtens who now plays in the Pro-Am field.
 
Mad keen golfer Cortese joins the New Zealand team alongside New Zealand cricket legend Brendon McCullum, former AB Justin Marshall and Challenge captain Stephen Fleming.
 
Celebrities joining Mehrtens in the Pro-Am field are all pleased to be invited to play at this year’s tournament.
 

The ever-popular Sir Ian Botham is back for this year’s event. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

Legendary cricketer Sir Ian Botham will renew his partnership with Australian professional Scott Strange. Strange and Botham have become good friends since first partnering in the Pro-Am field back in 2013.
 
Current first five-eighths Japanese rugby union player Kosei Ono is excited at the opportunity to join the Pro-Am field as an amateur golfer. The former Christchurch Boys High School student played a vital role in Japan’s Rugby World Cup upset win over South Africa.

Jeff Wilson has become a regular in the tournament and is “thrilled” to be back representing the German luxury car giant.
 
“It’s one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year for me,” he says. “I can’t wait to tee-off at The Hills or Millbrook.”
 

Popular TV actor and entertainer Shane Cortese has joined the ANZ Celebrity Challenge. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

Emett will be pairing up his love for food and golf, teeing off in the Pro-Am while working to deliver an iconic Rata Long Lunch dining experience on Friday March 11 at The 19^th.
 
Radio commentator and former international cricketer Simon Doull makes his debut appearance at the Open, while the highly competitive Mark Richardson is back for his fourth appearance in the Pro-Am. 
 
The BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.  The 2016 event will be played from March 10 to March 13 at two iconic Queenstown courses, The Hills and Millbrook.
 
For further information, latest updates and to book tickets go to www.nzopen.co.nz