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WELLINGTON
(Reuters) - Organisers of next year's New Zealand Open golf
tournament have had to cancel the event because of the
uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic.
The tournament was scheduled to be held on two courses in the
South Island town of Queenstown in February.
"We are extremely disappointed to have had to come to this
decision," organising committee chairman John Hart said in a
statement on Thursday.
"But the effects of the pandemic, borders being closed, and the
financial risk associated with a potential later cancellation
due to any further Covid-19 outbreaks means we have no other
alternative other than to cancel this event now."
Hart said they had expected up to 300 people from overseas to
attend the tournament.
New Zealand has closed its borders to anyone but returning
citizens or permanent residents and while overseas visitors can
apply for an exemption, they must meet stringent conditions and
are rarely granted.
All arrivals must also still undergo 14-days isolation with
short-term visitors charged for their stay in government-run
facilities.
The cancellation of the New Zealand Open follows that of
Australia's four major golf tournaments, all of which were also
scheduled for February.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Kim Coghill)
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