KEY POINTS:
It was no ordinary year. Rob Muldoon routed Bill Rowling in the general election and introduced a bruising ruthlessness to New Zealand politics, while Whina Cooper led the famous Maori land march to the steps of Parliament.
As well, Country Calendar debuted on our screens before becoming an
iconic television staple.
But 1975 also marked the last time women golfers gathered in this country for prize money.
It was so long ago that the morals of tobacco sponsorship had not even been raised and the Benson & Hedges Classic professional tournament at The Grange in Auckland was won by American star JoAnne Carner, whose career included 43 LPGA Tour titles.
Close to 34 years later, officials have announced the staging of the inaugural $150,000 New Zealand Women's Open at Clearwater in Christchurch on January 30 to February 1. New Zealand Golf (NZG) views the tournament as a vehicle with which to raise the profile of the game for women and provide aspirational opportunities for young players.
Tournament costs are expected to reach close to $450,000 and the event is partly being funded from money set aside from a trust fund by Women's Golf New Zealand before it amalgamated with the New Zealand Golf Association in 2005.
It will be part of the Australian Ladies' Professional Golf tour (ALPG), a four-tournament schedule which includes the New South Wales Open, the Australian Open and the Ladies Masters, and as such will offer points for the women's world golf rankings.
Chief executive Bill MacGowan said 2009 marked the first year in a three-year commitment from NZG to stage the tournament.
The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes but he hoped to expand that to take in a full 72 holes over four days in future years.
Despite a purse which is very modest by European and American standards, organisers expect to attract a field with more than a handful of known names.
Former world No 1 Laura Davies will be approached, with the Englishwoman having previously expressed an interest in playing in New Zealand.
"She's supported events [in Australia] well in the past. I'm sure if she's going to be there she would like to pop across the Tasman," MacGowan said.
A maximum field of 144 players will compete, with 20 spots being reserved for amateurs from New Zealand and Australia.
MacGowan is confident a quality field of Europeans will show up.
"We are banking on a very good field. The Europeans will be in Australia anyway and our tournament falls between the New South Wales Open and the Masters."
MacGowan said his organisation was especially pleased to be in a position to launch the championship despite the challenging economic climate.
ALPG chief executive Warren Sevil was effusive in describing the significance of the Open's arrival.
"The addition of the inaugural NZ Women's Open to the ALPG Tour schedule is one of the most significant achievements in the history of our organisation," he said.
"There is no doubt the profile of women's golf in New Zealand will benefit as a result."
The Christchurch City Council has already lent sponsorship support, much as it has done for the men's New Zealand PGA Championship, being staged this summer on March 5-8 at the same course. Tuohy Associates, which runs the PGA Championship as well as the New Zealand Open, has been appointed to promote and manage the event.
- NZPA
