New Zealand Golf Circuit

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

Sport	Golf
Founded	1963
Founder	New Zealand Golf Association
First season	1963
Ceased	1980
Countries	Based in New Zealand
Most titles	Money list titles: Bob Charles (6) Tournament wins: 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

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

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

Multiple winners

Rank	Player	Wins	Years won
1	Bob Charles	6	1966, 1967, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1978–79
T2	John Lister	2	1974–75, 1976–77
	Kel Nagle		1964, 1969–70

See also

• New Zealand portal

• New Zealand Open
• Charles Tour

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.