Published on January 6, 2015

Christchurch, New Zealand: History will be made when the first edition of the Faldo Series New Zealand Championship tees-off this week.
To be staged at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch, the 54-hole event has attracted more than 60 of New Zealand’s brightest young golfers.
It’s the first time in the nine-year history of the Faldo Series Asia that New Zealand has been included on the schedule. There are three boys’ age group categories and one for girls.
Six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “I’m delighted that the first Faldo Series New Zealand Championship will take place this week.
“We remain focused on developing the Faldo Series in more countries and introducing the lessons and opportunity of this sport through elite junior amateur competition along with grass roots introduction to golfers on all levels.”
In the boys’ category, Oscar Cadenhead will be calling on local knowledge as he bids to secure a place in the ninth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick at Mission Hills China in March.
Playing off a handicap of +2.4, the big-hitting Cadenhead is the current Clearwater Golf Club champion.
Canterbury provincial representative Marcel Boet and left-hander Tadhg Campbell, who represented New Zealand at last year’s Srixon International Junior Classic in Australia, are expected to mount challenges.
Among the female favourites are NZ Maori Ladies Championship winner Tyla Kingi, NZ Eagles Golf Girls winner Amelia Garvey, South Island Stroke Play champion Brooke Hamilton and Nicole Hamilton-Cross, a qualifier for the North American Junior Amateur Championship.
Measuring almost 5,700 metres for the girls, it will be the same layout as will be used for next month’s ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open.
Andrew Bell, General Manager at Clearwater Golf Club, said: “We are proud to be hosting the inaugural New Zealand event and wish to record our thanks to our local supporting sponsors Hellers, Express Cargo and Chambers PR, all of whom have a proud history of supporting junior golf development in the Canterbury region.
“As hosts we look forward to crowning the national and age grade champions in what looks to be a strongly contested field and then assisting those players to success in China at the Faldo Series Asian Grand Final.”
Supported by The R&A, ISPS and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months and is made up of 19 championships.