| 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.
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]
| 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 |
Sir Robert James Charles is a New Zealand professional golfer who won the 1963 Open Championship, the first left-handed player to win a major championship. He won the 1954 New Zealand Open as an 18-year-old amateur and made the cut in the same event in 2007, at the age of 71. His achievements over that period, in which he won 80 tournaments, rank him as one of the most successful New Zealand golfers of all time. He is, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.
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The New Zealand Open is the premier men's golf tournament in New Zealand. It has been a regular fixture on the PGA Tour of Australasia tournament schedule since the 1970s. The 2019 event was the 100th edition of the tournament. Since 2014 it has been held as a pro-am in February or March.
The New Zealand PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament held by the New Zealand PGA. It is generally an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia but in some years has been held as a non-tour event.
The Air New Zealand Shell Open was a golf tournament held in New Zealand between 1975 and 1994. The event was the New Zealand Airlines Classic in 1975 and 1976 and the New Zealand Airlines Open in 1977. The Grange hosted the first and final editions of the event but Titirangi hosted the event the most, 14 times between 1977 and 1991. The only other courses to host the event were Russley (1976) and Wellington (1979).
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The 1963 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the inaugural season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1964 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the second season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1966 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the fourth season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1967 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the fifth season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1968–69 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the sixth season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1970–71 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the eighth season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1971–72 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the ninth season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1975–76 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the 13th season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.
The 1979–80 New Zealand Golf Circuit was the 17th and final season of the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the main professional golf tour in New Zealand since it was established in 1963.