Snow on the Mountains for the BMW Golf Cup Australian Final

We have just returned from magnificent Queenstown, New Zealand, where Millbrook Resort hosted the 2013 Australian Final of the BMW Golf Cup International tournament. Ken (A-Grade) & Margaret Allen, Bob (B-Grade) & Jenny Van Munster and Kate (Ladies) & John Finlay joined my husband, Brian Curtis and me for the 2-night golf extravaganza, where we were wined and dined in true BMW style.

28 Qualifying Tournaments were held in 2013 by BMW dealers from all around Australia, with a total of 3,000 golfers participating.  These rounds resulted in 84 golfers qualifying for the Australian Final.  We thank all of our customers who played in our Col Crawford BMW Round at Cromer Golf Club on 7th May and we congratulate Ken, Bob & Kate for winning on the day and making it to the Australian Final in Queenstown.  It’s a big deal to be one of the 84 players and we know that you enjoyed the experience of being a part of the largest amateur golf tournament in the world.  Each year 50 countries participate in this event world-wide, with over 100,000 players!

The fun started on Wednesday 22nd January when our group was transferred by coaches to a Welcome Party at the Kawarau Bungy Centre, which had been transformed into a glamorous BMW cocktail reception venue.  Moet champagne was served on arrival and a Maori troupe greeted us with singing and dancing, which included the Haka.  Five names were drawn from those BMW golfers who had indicated their willingness to do a Bungy jump upon registering earlier in the day.  Thank goodness our three had declined!  Four men and one lady were no sooner announced as winners, than they were perched on a small ledge on the side of the Kawarau Bridge tied to the bungy rope, ready to jump!  And they all did; whilst the rest of the group looked on from the viewing platform in awe and shock!  After the entertainment, some welcome speeches, lots of champagne and delicious food, the draw sheet was handed out for the Shotgun Start at 9:00 AM the following morning.

Leaving the Sydney summer and arriving in what was supposed to be a Queenstown summer, was certainly a shock to the system.  Not only did our golfers wake up to 7-degree temperatures and overcast conditions on Thursday morning, but there were icy winds blowing and SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS!  It was truly remarkable….and must certainly be how the surrounding mountain range gets its name!!  Millbrook staff who had worked at the resort for more than six years had never seen snow on the mountains during January.  Our poor golfers were freezing!  Who would have thought they would need to pack thermal underwear to play golf in New Zealand in January??

After a brief was given to all participants by the golf marshal and the referee the golfers headed out to their tee positions for the nine o’clock start.  Nine holes were played on Millbrook’s ‘Coronet’ Course and nine holes were played on the ‘Remarkables’ Course.  Brian & I waved off ‘Team Crawford’ and then found a perfect viewing platform on the conservatory deck of the ‘Hole In One’ Cafe, which offered a huge glass wall and  is located directly behind the 9th green.  Overhead heating was turned up and hot coffee was close at hand.  We were joined by one person after another in the form of caddies who had retired from the cold, as well as supportive spouses, who realised that we had the best seat in the house.  We could all watch our golfers playing down the 9th fairway, followed by a nice chip over a creek onto the green and then some challenging putting on a rolling green to the pin.  There were many supportive cheers from our gallery as putts were sunk and we waved the players off to the 10th hole.  A nice comfortable way to watch four and a half hours of golf!

Thursday night’s presentation dinner was a night to remember, when coaches once again transported the group; this time into the heart of Queenstown.  A red carpet awaited us and more champagne as we took cable cars to the top of the mountain, to the restaurant with stunning views over Queenstown, The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.  The band played, the drinks flowed and after a 3-course dinner the winners were announced.  Whilst none of our three will be heading to Thailand for the world final in March, they already felt like winners, after getting so far and enjoying the BMW hospitality.  Damien Oliver, the famous jockey and recent Melbourne Cup Winner, was playing in the tournament as an A-Grade golfer off a 9 handicap, representing one of the Queensland dealerships (and he didn’t win either).  Damien was invited to the stage for an impromptu interview by the MC and it was a thrill to hear his tales.

After a great night and a long, cold day we headed back to Millbrook before the clock struck 12 and we waved goodbye to three happy, but exhausted couples, whom I am sure will reflect on those few days in New Zealand as guests of Col Crawford BMW, for many years to come.

Ken, Bob & Kate – Well done… and thanks for your company!

CAROL CRAWFORD