Despite a significant drop of about 8000 from the 2007 event, the 2009 Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open, which ended last Sunday, netted more people through the gates than its Australian counterpart, promoter Bob Tuohy told the Queenstown Times yesterday.
The crowd of 24,071 spectators over the four days at The Hills was more than turned up for December's Australian Golf Open.
"And given the difference in population base [between Sydney and Queenstown], we have something to be proud of," he said.
About 65% of the crowds had been from the South Island.
The impressive nature of The Hills course was a key to the tournament's popularity and success.
"The comments from the American players . . . they were blown away by the scenery and the location," he said.
It remained to be seen whether that would translate to more northern hemisphere spectators next year as the economic crisis was discouraging people from long-haul travel.
Television coverage of the tournament and surrounding scenery was beamed to about 300 million households worldwide, which was a "fantastic result", Mr Tuohy said.
Globally, the sport of golf is facing troubled times. Many companies which have sponsored international tournaments "no longer exist" and other potential sponsors were being careful where they spent their money, Mr Tuohy said.
The $1.2 million total prize money at The Hills had been in United States dollars - and unfavourable exchange rates had meant it cost tournament organisers much more than originally anticipated.
"When you are having to spend $2 to get $1 of prize money it costs a lot."
It was not just a problem for New Zealand tournaments. Mr Tuohy predicted most prize purses would shrink as people started to be realistic about what they could expect.
He was also sceptical of Golf Australia's decision to be included in the OneAsia Super Series of Asia-Pacific tournaments, announced yesterday.
Trying to lure Asian sponsors and advertisers to spend money outside Asia would not work. "What business in Hong Kong is going to advertise in an Australian tournament just for the sake of them sending pictures back home?" he asked.
