Top level professional golf returns to Sir Michael Hill’s private course, The Hills, in 2013 with the New Zealand PGA Championship.

Take a three-time major championship winner, the world’s best amateur golfer and a cricket legend and what do you have?

The NZPGA Championship in Queenstown.

The hugely popular golf event will be back at The Hills at the end of February, after an immensely successful debut of the celebrity Pro-Am format in 2012.

Such is the allure of Central Otago, it hardly needs any extra incentive to visit.   Visitors already flock to the area to sample its breathtaking beauty and to experience the Adventure Capital of the World.

Now there is one more reason.

The NZPGA Championship promises to be one of the first events penciled into sports fans’ calendars in years to come.  It offers a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s top sporting stars competing

The 2013 field is already starting to take shape.  Among those confirmed are Hale Irwin, Lydia Ko and Sir Ian Botham 

Hale Irwin adds a touch of class to the professional field, which also includes Australian Brendan Jones and defending champion Michael Hendry.  Irwin is a three time US Open Champion, and while he now plies his trade on the US Champions Tour, anyone who has 20 US PGA Tour titles to their name cannot be underestimated.

Lydia Ko is at the opposite end of her career.  Golf fans have long been aware of the Kiwi teenager’s prodigious talent, but her record-breaking feats over the past 12 months have brought her to the attention of a much wider sporting audience. 

Sir Ian Botham on the other hand is not a man who has ever struggled to get his name up in lights.  Sir Ian is well renowned for his swashbuckling ability with the cricket bat and no doubt he will attract a huge following at The Hills as eager fans flock to see if he can transfer those skills to the golf cours 

Both Ko and Botham will line up in the amateur field – a 68 strong line-up that has long been sold out.

However, it’s not too late for those hoping to play some golf to get in on the act 

Due to the sheer weight of demand, the organisers have established a new tournament, called the NZPGA Challenge, which will run alongside the main event 

The competition will see teams of four compete on consecutive days at the stunning Jack’s Point and Millbrook courses, with the winners to be awarded the inaugural NZPGA Challenge Trophy.

Teams will also be treated to the same VIP hospitality as the Pro-Am field at The Hills and will be invited to the official cocktail party.  There is even a complimentary bungee jump on offer for those brave enough to take the plunge.

Throw in a free concert headlined by Auckland teenager Jamie McDell on the Saturday night and this is an opportunity not to be missed.