The Air New Zealand Shell Open was a golf tournament held in New Zealand between 1975 and 1994. The event was the New Zealand Airlines Classic in 1975 and 1976 and the New Zealand Airlines Open in 1977. The Grange hosted the first and final editions of the event but Titirangi hosted the event the most, 14 times between 1977 and 1991. The only other courses to host the event were Russley (1976) and Wellington (1979).
History In 1975, the event was formed and hosted by Air New Zealand. In 1977, the event became part of the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit. The following year Shell also became a title sponsor.
The 1979 event coincided with the Mount Erebus disaster. On November 28, the day before the tournament began, Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica. There was much discussion about cancelling the tournament. However, Morrie Davis (CEO of Air New Zealand) decided that the tournament would go on. Australian David Graham won the event.
Winners Year Tour Winner Score To par Margin ofvictory Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.Air New Zealand Shell Open 1994 ANZ Shane Robinson 274 −6 1 stroke David McKenzie The Grange 1993 ANZ Terry Price 277 −3 1 stroke Michael Campbell Brad Faxon Wayne Riley The Grange 1992 ANZ Nick Price 271 −9 Playoff Lucas Parsons The Grange 1991 ANZ John Morse 273 −7 3 strokes Nandasena Perera Titirangi 1990 ANZ Wayne Riley 268 −12 7 strokes Frank Nobilo Titirangi 1989 ANZ Don Bies 275 −5 4 strokes Brad Andrews Glenn Joyner Titirangi 1988 ANZ Terry Gale (2) 271 −9 4 strokes Hale Irwin Ossie Moore Jeff Woodland Titirangi 1987 ANZ Mike Colandro 270 −10 1 stroke Rodger Davis Titirangi 1986 ANZ Rodger Davis 267 −13 3 strokes Bob Shearer Curtis Strange Titirangi 1985 ANZ D. A. Weibring 264 −16 1 stroke Rodger Davis Titirangi 1984 ANZ Brian Jones 266 −14 2 strokes Wayne Grady Titirangi 1983 ANZ Bruce Devlin 200 −10 1 stroke Bobby Clampett Titirangi 1982 ANZ Terry Gale 273 −7 Playoff Wayne Grady Titirangi 1981 ANZ Bob Shearer 265 −15 8 strokes Graham Marsh Titirangi 1980 ANZ Eamonn Darcy 268 −12 2 strokes Lanny Wadkins Titirangi 1979 NZGC David Graham 279 −5 8 strokes Rodger Davis Royal Wellington 1978 NZGC Bob Charles 273 −7 1 stroke Graham Marsh Titirangi 1977 NZGC David Good 278 −2 Playoff Bill Dunk Titirangi New Zealand Airlines Classic 1976 NZGC Bob Shearer 271 −21 9 strokes Bill Brask John Lister Russley 1975 NZGC Bill Brask 276 −8 1 stroke Peter Thomson The Grange
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