About Us

About Us

In the summer of 2003, a passion for golf and travel prompted Will Owen to buy a small minibus and begin offering a daily golf service for visitors to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Through hotel and online marketing this service became popular and Will expanded the tours to include other destinations on the South Island. In 2004 Will conducted his first multi-day tour for a golf group from Australia along with several self-drive itineraries for visiting golfers from across the globe. By the summer of 2005 Playing Around New Zealand was firmly established and Will began employing the services of first class guides to assist him in making his tour service truly nationwide.  

Fast forward to 2020 and thousands of golfers from across the world have enjoyed the first class itinerary planning and tour services of Will and his team at Playing Around New Zealand, lifelong friendships have been formed and several visitors have returned to New Zealand for their second, third and even fourth golf trip! 

Will now leads a small team of dedicated professionals from his Auckland office. During the past fourteen years he has built superb relationships with the best New Zealand golf courses and accommodation providers to ensure that golf visitors who use his services have the best possible travel experience. The company also owns several Mercedes vehicles that are exclusively available for self-drive and guided golf tours.

Playing Around New Zealand has recently begun an outbound program for New Zealand golfers which ensures that Will and his team can experience and take ideas from world-class golf and services that are available in the USA, Europe and Asia. As members of the Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) and the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) you are assured of the highest standards of service and integrity. Contact us today and allow one of our New Zealand based experts to supply an itinerary which will provide you with the perfect New Zealand golf tour.

April 2022 - Update

Unfortunately the worldwide Covid Pandemic resulted in the New Zealand borders being closed to international visitors for over 2 years. The company survived this period and spent the down time nurturing relationships with past and future guests. As a result 2022 - 2024 will see record numbers of golfers using the services of Will and the Playing Around New Zealand team.

Meet the team

Will Owen

Will Owen

Founder and Managing Partner

will@playgolf.co.nz

Will is the Managing Director and founder of Playing Around New Zealand. He has spent the last fifteen years living and breathing New Zealand golf travel and utilizes his vast experience and knowledge when planning New Zealand golf travel itineraries for visitors from across the globe. Recently he has also been organising International trips for New Zealand golfers including the magnificent courses in Scotland and Ireland as well as The Masters in Augusta. Away from the business, Will spends most of his time with his young family, fishing on the Hauraki Gulf or on the golf course where he plays off a 7 handicap.

Peter Sisson

Peter Sisson

Tour Director

peter@playgolf.co.nz

Peter is the company Tour Director and is likely to be the friendly face that greets you when you arrive at Auckland Airport. After 20 years importing and distributing golf equipment, Peter joined the Playing Around New Zealand team in 2010. With his experience and knowledge of just about every golf course in New Zealand, along with a friendly and humorous personality, Peter is the perfect tour manager and host. Peter is an avid golfer and has played Auckland inter club competition off a single figure handicap for over 35 years.

Rebecca Owen

Rebecca Owen

Operations Manager

becky@playgolf.co.nz

Rebecca took over the reins as Operations Manager in 2009 following a career in Project Management. Rebecca ensures that every detail of each itinerary is personally taken care of and when our guests make a request she is the person that makes everything happen! Away from the business Rebecca is kept very busy by her young family but enjoys watching live sport and taking overseas trips. She also hopes to return to playing golf in the near future.