Queenstown turns on the charm for SGA Golfers

Queenstown Turns on the Charm for SGA Golfers

Amazing golf, jaw-dropping scenery and perfect weather greeted SGA Golfers in 2022

SGA's inaugural golf trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, for the 2022 SGA International, proved to be everything (and more) that golfers look for in a golf trip.

With all 5 courses within a quick 20 minutes' transfer from Queenstown, our golfers enjoyed a relaxing and stress-free week. The weather was absolutely MINT, with full sunshine all week, and temperatures in the 19-24-degree range, with only a bit of clouds and wind. In truth, you could not ask for better golf conditions. Or better golf courses. Or a better group of golfers.

2022 Queenstown Golf Week Recap

ARRIVAL AND WELCOME DINNER

Following a short 3-hour flight from Australia, golfers made their way to the new Ramada Queenstown, our home-base for the week. That night, guests enjoyed a hosted Welcome Party at the Pig & Whistle pub, just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Golfers were treated to good food and drinks, a relaxed vibe, and a jovial atmosphere as they met their fellow golfers (many set to be life-long friends) for the week.

DAY 1 - FIRST ROUND, ARROWTOWN GC

The event kicked off at the gorgeous Arrowtown Golf Club. Simply an amazing location, with plenty of fun had by all. The course features gorgeous scenery all around, which (if you're not careful) can distract you from the golf itself. Overall, it was a challenging and enjoyable golf course. The course staff were friendly and helpful, and our golfers had a great time. Thanks to the course and staff for hosting us and making it a memorable day.

DAY 2 - SECOND ROUND, QUEENSTOWN GC

Day 2 was an absolute corker. Played at the magnificent Queenstown Golf Club, (one of the top-5 most scenic courses in the world) the day featured some stunning scenery, challenging golf and plenty of smiles. Surrounded by Lake Wakatipu, the course has lake views at nearly every turn, with the feature hole running along the lake itself. Wow.

This is a must-play course for any time you visit Queenstown, New Zealand.

Thanks to Andrew and the team (and members) at Queenstown GC for hosting us at your lovely course.

DAY 3 - REST DAY, OPTIONAL GOLF AT THE HILLS

A well-earned "rest day" for many of our golfers in Queenstown. There is SO MUCH to do in the area, it's hard to choose just one or two activities. While a dozen lucky golfers teed-off at the ultra-exclusive The Hills GC (featuring a perfectly-manicured course, surrounded by eclectic works of art), some of our guests took the day to explore. Some visited a variety of amazing wineries; others took on a more adrenaline-packed adventure on the Skippers Canyon Jet Boats. Still others took the scenic Skyline Queenstown Gondola to enjoy the views (while one intrepid golfer even HIKED to the top of the mountain!). It's no wonder why Queenstown is named "the Adventure Capital of the World"

Overall a great day was had by all. Thanks to our golfers for sharing these great photos with us.

DAY 4 - THIRD ROUND, JACK'S POINT GC

Day 3 of the 2022 SGA International - NZ was an ABSOLUTE CRACKER! Jacks Point was a jaw-dropping, eyeball-widening, heart-pumping golf-bag-full-o-joy. There is a reason that our Media Manager rates this course as his #1 on the planet, and it's hard to argue. With GORGEOUS views at EVERY HOLE, it is a bucket-list course that had our golfers taking more photos than golf swings. Trust us when we say: PLAY THIS COURSE!

Thanks to Luke and the entire team at Jack's Point for hosting us. Everyone had an absolute blast.

DAY 5 - FINAL ROUND, MILLBROOK GC

Five fun-filled days of world-class golf came to a fitting conclusion on Friday, as our golfers played the AMAZING Millbrook Resort (Coronet course). A relatively new layout on the 36-hole facility, this club hosts the NZ Open, and it was a real treat for our golfers to experience it in all its glory.

EVENT RESULTS

Of course, this week was about more than just enjoyable golf. There was also a tournament going on!

When the 4-round scores were tallied, checked and re-checked, we had a TIE at the top of A-grade, with both Bill Marriott and Anthony Harwood locked-in on 134 total stableford points. On countback, Anthony took the bikkies, courtesy of his final round 33, just edging Bill on 32. SGA stalwart Drew Hallam finished 2 shots back on 132, capturing the final podium spot.
In B-Grade, it was also a close race, with the lead shifting over the four days. In the end, Cheryl Kelly captured the trophy, with a total of 136 points (the highest of all golfers throughout the week!). One shot back, capturing second, was Bill Hogg, with “Happy, Not Happy, Bro” Frank Elisaia taking third on 131. ( See Full scores below.)

AWARDS DINNER

Following the day, golfers and their non-golfing partners converged at the Pig & Whistle Historic Pub for the Presentation Dinner. With some tasty food (and PLENTY of beverages) consumed, the night was a relaxing and fun evening where golfers chatted about their glorious (and not-so-glorious, LOL) golf shots and moments across this memorable week.

2022 Queenstown Golf Week - Final Scores

Individual Stableford Aggregate

See below for Final scores and photo gallery (or click here to see detailed round-by round scores and stats on our Golf Genius Portal)

A Grade Flight
Pos.	Player	Total Points	R1	R2	R3	R4
T1	Anthony Harwood	134	30	34	37	33
T1	William Marriott	134	38	30	34	32
3	Drew Hallam	132	36	36	31	29
4	Russell Potter	130	33	34	32	31
5	Alan Holloway	126	34	31	29	32
6	Jenny Bolger	124	29	31	34	30
7	Arvin Kumar	122	37	35	25	25
8	Jane Schendzielorz	121	30	38	25	28
9	Ronald Naidu	119	30	25	38	26
10	Kevin Biddle	118	32	30	28	28
T11	Peter Calverley	117	32	27	30	28
T11	Russell Dent	117	33	25	30	29
13	Rhys Hugglestone	115	28	32	33	22
14	Gary Moller	110	29	35	18	28
15	Sally Napier	109	27	31	20	31
16	Brenda Uren	104	26	33	19	26
17	Geoff Turner	90	27	23	26	14
18	Dean Miller (Staff)	65	34		31
19	Richard Fellner (Staff)	60		32		28

B Grade Flight
Pos.	Player	Total Points	R1	R2	R3	R4
1	Cheryl Kelly	136	39	38	30	29
2	William Hogg	135	33	33	32	37
3	Frank Elisaia	131	39	30	36	26
4	Susan Dawson	124	28	29	29	38
5	Steve Virag	116	32	26	28	30
T6	Geoff Hannah	115	36	27	28	24
T6	Ian Steer	115	32	33	27	23
8	Andrew Sexton	114	27	28	37	22
9	Bill Chung	112	34	26	27	25
10	Graham Ball	111	25	33	30	23
T11	Narelle Lopez	107	30	26	30	21
T11	Deborah Phillips	107	23	27	25	32
13	Ivan Jones	106	30	26	20	30
14	Gayle Scantleton	103	36	24	17	26
15	Cheryl Tamlin	102	21	29	27	25
16	Brett Messner	101	22	26	24	29
17	Kerrie Cooper	100	28	30	22	20
18	Kym Buckley	91	21	30	18	22

Special Thanks

Thanks to all of our host courses and clubs: Arrowtown Golf Club, Queenstown Golf Club, The Hills, Jacks Point, and Millbrook Resort for allowing us to enjoy your world-class courses.

Thanks to Stephen and his team from the top-notch Peak Golf Queenstown for all of their help and arrangements on ground.

Thanks to the Pig & Whistle Team for taking care of us for our welcome and awards dinners!

Thanks to our amazing partners/sponsors: Srixon-Cleveland, Garmin, Heathcote Winery, TCN Gift Cards and Drummond Golf.

Most importantly, thanks to ALL of our golfers and their non-golfing partners for joining us this week. You were all a wonderful and fun-filled group, and you helped make this event extra special!

The 2023 SGA Queenstown Event

(The 2023 SGA Queenstown Golf Week is in the final planning stages, and will be available for booking soon!)

The 2022 SGA International, New Zealand Sponsors