SIR BOB CHARLES WINS POWERPLAY GOLF® CHARITY EXHIBITION MATCH AT CLEARWATER GC, NEW ZEALAND

1963 Open Champion masters two-flag game in Samoa Tsunami and Earthquake event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

08 December 2009

In a superb display of golf in cold easterly winds, 1963 Open Champion and Golf Hall Of Fame member Sir Bob Charles showed younger competitors he still has what it takes by winning the PowerPlay Golf® Charity Exhibition Match, on Sunday 29th November 2009, at Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Charles carded 26 PowerPlay Golf® points to win the event by a single point from Clearwater GC marketing manager Karen Delatour – who is currently New Zealand’s highest-ranked female PowerPlay Golfer.

The event was staged to raise money for the New Zealand Red Cross Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Fund.

Sir Bob Charles’ partners for his round were three generous donors to the Fund, all of whom had won their playing spots by bidding on TradeMe, New Zealand’s online auction website. Geoff Harmon and Simon Coote had each travelled three hours from Kaikoura and Waimate respectively, whilst Doug Spence of Christchurch only found out 48 hours earlier that his son had set him up for a game of golf with the New Zealand sporting legend. Harmon scored 22 points to take third place in the event.

The exciting nine-hole ‘risk and reward’ PowerPlay Golf® was praised by all competitors. Event organiser Andrew Bell, from PowerPlay Golf® in New Zealand, said: “The opportunity to play and talk informally with Sir Bob Charles at any time is a great privilege and his willingness to donate his time, as well as turn on a golfing master-class in a format he had never played before, made this PowerPlay Golf® event very special for everyone involved.

“All funds raised today have been donated in full to The New Zealand Red Cross, and we are proud to use the attraction of PowerPlay Golf® to raise money for this very worthy cause.”

ENDS.

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Notes to editors:

ABOUT POWERPLAY GOLF® (www.powerplay-golf.com)

In PowerPlay Golf®, a 9-hole format which takes half the time of a normal round of golf, golfers choose to aim for one of two flags on the green – a White Flag and a Black Flag. Players score extra points for birdies or better when playing to the Black (or ‘PowerPlay’) Flag, which is generally in a difficult position on the green, thereby creating extra pressure. Golfers can go online after their game, registering to earn PowerPlay Golf® Dollars, climbing World Rankings and competing in user-generated PowerPlay Golf® Leagues both locally and around the world. The format is known for its ‘risk and reward’ ethos, and for the levels of excitement which it creates.

PowerPlay Golf®’s made-for-TV ‘PowerPlay Shootout’ format, which offers a complete golf tournament in less than two and a half hours, offers global broadcasters the opportunity to televise golf in a more compressed time-frame, thus increasing golfing TV audiences.

ABOUT CLEARWATER RESORT (www.clearwaternz.com)

Set within 465 acres and just minutes from Christchurch international airport and close to the CBD, New Zealand's premier lifestyle resort has something for everyone. Stay in supreme comfort in the hotel's chic waterfront rooms, suites and apartments, all with tranquil water views. Play the 18-hole championship golf course, home of the New Zealand PGA Championship. Dine in the casual elegance of The Lakes Restaurant, serving uncomplicated food filled with flavour and prepared with passion. Enjoy the driving range, practice putting greens, tennis courts, extensive walking trails, on-site fly fishing, and popular Lakes Cafe. Invest in Christchurch's most prestigious real estate.

ABOUT THE NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS SAMOA EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI FUND
DONATE ONLINE: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/pacifictsunami

Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Fund: New Zealand Red Cross has launched an appeal to assist the disaster and recovery response. Thanks to the generous support the appeal has already received the appeal fund currently sits at over $1.5 million (as at 14 October). New Zealand Red Cross guarantees that 100 percent of all donations will go directly to the appeal. New Zealand Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations. For a full list of the ways in which you can help, please visit www.redcross.org.nz.