The Jennian Homes Charles Tour has grown another leg today with the exciting announcement of the new Christies Floorings Mount Open joining the national circuit.

With Christies Floorings partnering alongside the Mt Maunganui Golf Club, this now makes for a total of six Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, giving the country’s best players another chance to play for a $50,000 purse in their backyard.

While a date for the event is yet to be set, it is expected to be in the played in December 2019.

New Zealand Golf General Manager Dave Mangan is pleased to welcome the new venue and what this opportunity provides for New Zealand players.

“New Zealand Golf is very excited to welcome a new venue onto the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.  The Mt Maunganui Golf Club has a proud history of hosting New Zealand Amateur Championships as well as the New Zealand PGA championship,” said Mangan.

“Raising a prize purse of $50,000 for the tournament is a significant challenge so we’re fortunate that the club have a great supporter in Christies Floorings.

“The Jennian Homes Charles Tour represents an important part in the development of our elite amateurs and rookie professionals, so having a further event for them to develop their skills as they work towards their golfing aspirations is an important part of what New Zealand Golf want to do.”

CEO of Christies Floorings Dave Gerrand, who has played a big role in giving our golfers another chance to challenge themselves against the country’s best, is looking forward to the new partnership and how the tournament can benefit Mt Maunganui.

“It is a pleasure to be able to assist in bringing top quality golf to the Mt Maunganui Golf Club for members to enjoy,” said Gerrand.

Support spreads all over town including Mayor Greg Brownless who showed his delight in yet another impressive sporting occasion taking place in the region.

“It’ll be another great opportunity for our community to view some of New Zealand’s top golf golfers, playing the sport at its highest level in New Zealand’s fifth-largest city,” Mr Brownless said.

“Tournaments like this play a key role in our city. They build community spirit and local pride, they promote our region and boost the local economy. Council proudly supports the development of golf in New Zealand and is committed to attracting world-class tournaments to the city.”

The addition of the Christies Floorings Mt Open makes for a second national event in the region by joining the Carrus Open which is hosted down the road at the Tauranga Golf Club. This thriving part of the country has consistently produced the best galleries in the country, so having a second tournament in town will be exciting and rewarding for all golf fans.

Mt Maunganui’s new General Manager, Mike Williams has gained great experience coming from the Manawatu Golf Club where he hosted four Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, as he looks to create an equally successful event at the Mt Maunganui Golf Club.

“It’s exciting to bring four round professional golf back here after its rich history of hosting the NZPGA Championship in the 60’s and 70’s,” said Williams.

“We hope to bring an event the club can be proud of. It is great to have Christies Floorings onboard as Dave [Gerrand] is a long-time member and supporter of the Mount. He is local and a local business so it is a great fit for us.”

While we are in the thick of the offseason, this news has added interest in the upcoming summer where the Jennian Homes Charles Tour will now be even stronger.

Photo; from the left, Hayden Beard (professional golfer), Michael Williams (General Manager), Dave Gerrand (Christies Floorings CEO), Kieran Muir (professional golfer)