Looking Back: Air New Zealand Shell Open Tournament

The Air New Zealand Shell Open was a men's professional golf tournament that for much of its history was part of the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. It was played from the mid-1970s into the mid-1990s.

First played: 1975

Last played: 1994

The tournament's 72-hole scoring record of 261 was set by D.A. Weibring in 1985.

Its largest margin of victory was nine strokes by Bob Shearer, who won by that margin over Bill Brask and John Lister in 1976. Shearer won the tournament twice, and his other victory, in 1981, was by eight strokes over Graham Marsh.

Marsh was also runner-up, by one stroke, to Bob Charles in 1978. Charles was the only New Zealand golfer to win the New Zealand Shell Open, although a couple other Kiwis — including Frank Nobilo in 1990 and Michael Campbell in 1993 — finished second.

Shearer and Terry Gale were the only multiple champions, each winning twice. Australian Bruce Devlin one exactly once on the Australasian Tour, and it was here in 1983. That was Devlin's last pro win before he turned to senior tour golf.

Winners of the New Zealand Shell Open

1975 — Bill Brask, 276
1976 — Bob Shearer, 271
1977 — David Good, 278 (def. Bill Dunk in playoff)
1978 — Bob Charles, 273
1979 — David Graham, 279
1980 — Eamonn Darcy, 268
1981 — Bob Shearer, 265
1982 — Terry Gale, 273 (def. Wayne Grady in playoff)
1983 — Bruce Devlin, 200 (shortened to 54 holes due to weather)
1984 — Brian Jones, 266
1985 — D.A. Weibring, 264
1986 — Rodger Davis, 267
1987 — Mike Colandro, 270
1988 — Terry Gale, 271
1989 — Don Bies, 275
1990 — Wayne Riley, 268
1991 — John Morse, 273
1992 — Nick Price, 271 (def. Lucas Parsons in playoff)
1993 — Terry Price, 277
1994 — Shane Robinson, 274

Also known as: The tournament was named the New Zealand Airlines Classic its first two years before switching to Air New Zealand Shell Open for the remainder of its run.

Golf courses: The Grange Golf Club in Auckland was the site of the inaugural tournament in 1975, and also of the final three tournaments in 1992-94. Titirangi Golf Club, an Alister MacKenzie design in Auckland, hosted the most, 14 times — 1977-78, plus each year from 1980 through 1991. Royal Wellington and Russley golf clubs were also used once each in the tournament's early years.