A total of 75 golf clubs from all over the country have signed up for the inaugural BMW New Zealand Open Day in December.

The nationwide event, where 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to the tournament’s official charity The First Tee, will be held on Saturday December 6 at golf clubs as part of their normal club day competition.

The BMW New Zealand Open Day enables golfers and clubs to be part of the National Open which will be staged from March 12 – 15 at The Hills and Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.

Bill MacGowan, the Chief Executive of The First Tee, was thrilled with the early interest from golf clubs and their members.

“The response to the BMW New Zealand Open Day has been fantastic,” said MacGowan.

“We have had 75 clubs nationwide register to participate to date – from as far North as Whangarei down to Stewart Island.”

MacGowan said that clubs have embraced the BMW New Zealand Open Day concept, incorporating it into their own club activity, and in some cases using alternative dates to work in with their calendar.

“Their members have been excited about the opportunity to win not only season passes to the BMW New Zealand Open but also to be in the running for the major prize of flights with Air New Zealand and accommodation at The Hilton in Queenstown during the BMW New Zealand Open.”

MacGowan urged other clubs from around New Zealand to follow the lead of those involved and support the National Open and The First Tee and hopes to see over 100 clubs involved come December 6.

The BMW New Zealand Open Day costs $5 to enter with great prizes on offer.

The winner will claim two tickets to attend the BMW New Zealand Open Championship. All participants in the BMW New Zealand Open Day will go into the draw to win the “Ultimate Queenstown Package”.

This package includes return flights for two to Queenstown from anywhere in New Zealand (courtesy of Air New Zealand), and accommodation for two nights at the Hilton Hotel Queenstown (courtesy of Hilton Hotel Queenstown) and tickets to attend the BMW New Zealand Open.

The BMW New Zealand Open will also provide each participating golf club two tickets to attend the championship as a thank you for hosting the BMW New Zealand Open Day.

MacGowan said it was a real honour for The First Tee to be the Official Charity of the BMW New Zealand Open. He believed the Open Day was a great way for golfers around New Zealand to support their work.

“We’re proud that 100 per cent of funds raised in the BMW New Zealand Open Day will support the delivery of The First Tee Programmes in the community,” he said.

 BMW New Zealand Open Day

When: Saturday December 6

Where: Golf clubs all around New Zealand

Who: Your members and guests – Offer the BMW New Zealand Open Day competition at your club, collecting $5 per entrant.

How: Getting involved is easy! Clubs can register by contacting amber@thefirstteenz.org. BMW New Zealand Open organisers will send the club two season tickets to the 2015 BMW New Zealand Open to use as prizes on the day.

For more information visit: www.bmwnzopen.com