KEY POINTS:
Businessman Michael Hill, whose private golf course is hosting this year's New Zealand Open, today quashed rumours that spectator numbers will be restricted and that the pro-am will be held on another course.
Hill issued a statement saying he wanted as many people as possible to attend the event, at The Hills near Queenstown from November 29 to December 2.
"I know ticket sales are very strong and ahead of total sales achieved for the Open last year, but I want to see double and three times that number at this year's event," he said.
About 27,000 attended last year's Open at Gulf Harbour, on the Hibiscus Coast, in Auckland's Rodney District.
Hill said there had been rumours that the pro-am would be at nearby Millbrook, but that was not the case.
"We are working closely with Millbrook for the Open and they will host the final qualifying tournament on the Tuesday.
"We are in for a great week of golf. While we have had a slow start to the growing season, things have really picked up now and we are right on target to producing the course in top order for the Michael Hill New Zealand Open," he said.
- NZPA
