About The Organisers

The World Schools Golf Challenge was created by Vintage Sport & Leisure Ltd (VSL), a company based in Auckland, New Zealand. This, the second tournament follows on from the highly successful inaugural event staged in Christchurch, New Zealand in April, 2007.

Frustration that international tournaments for young people required extensive qualifying and the fact that many schools, who had golf teams, were consequently unable to participate, led to the development of the World Schools Golf Challenge. With the rapidly growing popularity of golf amongst young people and the development of new golf programs at schools, the organisers had a belief that the opportunity needed to be offered to all schools for their young golfers to enjoy international golf with educational and cultural experiences.

Tournament Organisation

The development, marketing and implementation of the 2009 World Schools Golf Challenge will be under the control of Vintage Sport & Leisure Limited.

The Tournament Management Team will include:

Paul Gleeson - Tournament Co-Coordinator of the Air New Zealand Shell Golf Open (1974-1994) and the New Zealand Golf Open (1987-89, 1995-2002). This role included responsibility for all aspects of these tournaments - marketing, sales, associated events and functions, corporate hospitality, player liaison, sponsorship, committee structures, TV negotiation and media liaison.

Roger Carroll - a single figure handicap golfer Roger has an extensive background in advertising and marketing. He also has experience in Tournament organisation and management. Roger has toured many parts of the world, playing on leading courses and extending his knowledge of golfing conditions and Tournament requirements including caddying in professional tournaments. Roger was Tournament Director for the inaugural World Schools Golf Challenge.

Les Penley - in 2001, Les joined In Front Events South Australia’s leading event management group. He has been a key player in staging two Vintage Golf events in SA, along with Vintage Cricket in both Adelaide and Perth. In addition he has been involved in the operation of the 2006 Australasian Masters Games, the International Emergency Management Conference as part of the 2007 World Police & Fire Games and was event manager of the 2006 Inter Dominion Championships. He is a keen golfer, playing from a handicap of 19

Peter McDermott - an experienced sports administrator having previously been Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (1990-1995), Co-Chairman of the 1992 Cricket World Cup, commercial Manager of the 1998 Wild Water Kayaking World Cup, a consultant to the Hillary Commission and a member of the Eden Park Board of Control (Auckland) for 8 years.

Tournament Committee - this group will include representatives of the South Australian teams who attended the 2007 tournament and the host clubs.

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