Client News

Rainbow Pages General Manager James Bennett believes the partnership with one of Queenstown’s biggest and best festivals of the year is a “fantastic step” in uniting the LGBTTQI+ community.

“Partnering with Gay Ski Week QT means we can help to bring communities together, which is what Rainbow Pages is all about,” says James.

“We want to showcase the rainbow community, have a good time and give back to our supportive communities. Sadly, we’ve noticed an increase in homophobia in New Zealand, so it’s more important than ever to provide a safe space where people can be themselves.”

Gay Ski Week QT has been celebrating diversity since 2002. Since then, thousands have poured into Queenstown to attend the week-long festival, jam-packed with parties, cabarets, foam days, karaoke and much more.

This year, as well as its new partner Rainbow Pages, Gay Ski Week QT will launch its rebrand and new website on February 19, where all the dates, early bird tickets and discounted packages will be released.

If you’re interested in becoming a partner, sponsor or volunteer for the event, contact: [email protected]

Photo caption:

1/ Attendees of last year’s Onesie Day event at Cardrona ski field

“Coming back to Queenstown is like coming home for me,” she says. “I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with my team to drive results and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“It’s exciting to work in a location that’s on the map internationally for its wine products, food offerings and hospitality scene.”

Her new role sees her managing day-to-day food and beverage operations, banquets for the conference and incentive market, and overseeing 20 staff.

Catherine is a graduate of the highly regarded IHG Future Leader Programme, an intensive management programme training candidates to acquire junior management roles in all operational departments.

The exclusive programme only accepts ten candidates each year throughout Australasia.

Over the past two years, Catherine’s broadened her management experience at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport as Banquets Operations Manager before she was promoted to Restaurant and Bar Manager.

Originally from Wellington, Catherine is no stranger to a Kiwi adventure.

In her spare time, she’s looking forward to re-acclimate her adventurous lifestyle to the outdoorsy atmosphere in Queenstown.

“I can’t wait to take advantage of the huge range of activities on offer!” she says.

“Soaking up the scenery on Central Otago’s bike trails, exploring the South Island’s idyllic surf spots, and skiing the local ski fields are all top of my list.”

Catherine’s passion for Queenstown and the industry has been welcomed by Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s acting general manager Sam Swaffield.

“Catherine’s enthusiasm is second to none and we look forward to supporting her in her first senior management role,” he says.

“At the age of just 25 she’s already got a huge range of experience under her belt.”

Click here to visit Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s new Food and Beverage Services Manager Catherine Bodnar

“The new layout will create a superb finish and ensure a spectacular spectator experience,” said Millbrook Resort’s Brian Spicer.

The tournament organisers have turned the current final hole of the Coronet Nine to the 17^th hole, to be followed by the finishing 18th hole which is the current 9^th hole on the Arrow Course.

“We will finish with a reachable par-5 over water as the 17^th and a par-3 which is virtually surrounded by water as the 18^th, which should add drama to the conclusion,” said Mr Spicer.

“The 18th hole is a relatively straight-forward par-3 but in a tournament like this, you never can tell. It all came down to the last few holes at The Hills last year, proving anything can happen at the close of a tournament.

“It has the potential to be an eagle-3 and birdie-2 finish or dependant on conditions and the situation, it can just as easily be a bogey-6 and double bogey-5. The nerves could tell.”

The first two days of the tournament will be played on both Millbrook Resort and The Hills, with the final two rounds at Millbrook Resort.

Tournament Director Michael Glading is delighted with the course layout plans for the 93^rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have two great courses to showcase our National Open, and look forward to an exciting event,” he said.

“The configuration of the final two holes at Millbrook Resort will bring new drama to the event.

“The 18th hole at The Hills has been pivotal to the final showdown in previous years, and we’re confident that by creating two climatic holes we’ll add a real sense of theatre this year.”

Two New Zealand Open champions, who won the Brodie Breeze Trophy six times between them, were master-minds of Millbrook Resort’s layout. The original 18-hole course was designed in 1993 by golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, a four-time New Zealand Open winner.

Local Queenstown former professional Greg Turner, the 1989 and 1997 Open champion, designed the Coronet Nine in 2009 and remodelled the existing 18-hole course.

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour. The 2017 event will be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ 18^th hole for 2017 ISPS Handa New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort Queenstown

Entry to each of the golf club events is free and each club decides who plays – although the winner must have a registered maximum handicap of no more than 18. An overall club winner at each of the seven courses will be drawn at completion of play from participants who score 30 stablefords or more.

The winning golfers will compete in an exciting “play off” on the final hole of Millbrook Resort’s Coronet Nine on Saturday February 25 to decide who takes home the ultimate prize.

The winning prize includes a minimum of two days’ play at Millbrook Resort and The Hills golf courses during the 2017 tournament. The six remaining club winners will each receive a round of golf for two at Millbrook Resort, with carts included.

Millbrook Challenge Tournament Director Allan McKay is delighted to be organising the 2017 Open Challenge.

“Playing in the biggest and most prestigious golf tournament held in New Zealand, alongside masters of the game, is an opportunity that local golfers’ can only dream of!” he said.

“It’s fantastic to see keen golfers go head-to-head each year at their home clubs for the coveted spot.

“I’m sure there will be more than a little tension in air when the top seven players meet at Millbrook Resort next month for the ‘play off’.”

The winning player from each club must be available for the play off (February 25) and the days of play in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open. The winning spot cannot be given away or replaced with a substitute player.

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour. The 2017 event will be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ Millbrook Resort Queenstown is the official home of the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open