Who are we?

VSL Golf is the division of Vintage Sports and Leisure that looks after the Golf side of the business.

We specialise in Golf Tours and Golf Events.

From large corporate events to short tours or weekend breaks, golf is our passion too!

Earle Thomas – Golf Events and Tours Manager

Earle’s background features exceptional performances on the sports field having represented New Zealand at soccer for 13 seasons, including 2 as captain.  He is also an excellent age group cricketer.  Earle was also an outstanding basketballer.

These days he is a very competent golfer and he has played many of the top New Zealand and Australian courses.

Earle Thomas has had an extensive career in the sports industry and was between 1991 and 2003, Managing Director of Spalding New Zealand Ltd and then Spalding Australia and New Zealand Ltd.

In his roles, Earle has been responsible for management and marketing planning and implementation; sponsorship programs; event marketing; financial management and international relationships and negotiations. 

Chris Davies - Event Co-ordinator

Chris graduated from university with a degree in Leisure Management.  From uni he has enjoyed various positions in the Sport & Leisure industry working in marketing and operational management. 

Over the past ten years Chris has been managing some of the top UK golf clubs, including Sheringham Golf Club and more recently Ferndown Golf Club, regarded as one of the top private member clubs in the UK.  In his role as General Manager, the Clubs hosted and managed events for a wide spectrum, from internal club events to national tournaments and corporate golf days for blue chip companies.

As a sportsman, Chris was an excellent age group swimmer and is a very competent and experienced golfer, having enjoyed playing on many of the UK’s top golf courses.

Michael Long - International Professional Golfer

Michael has an excellent amateur and professional record and is one of New Zealand’s most successful golfers.  He has represented New Zealand at all levels including the Eisenhower Trophy in 1990 - the world’s biggest amateur golf event, the World Cup at Kiawah island in 1997 and the Dunhill Cup St Andrews from 1997 – 1999.  

Michael has recorded six victories on tour as a professional thus far.  In 1996 he won the New Zealand Open at Paraparumu Golf Club. This victory gave him the distinction of being the only player in history to win every NZGA title.  Further victories include the 1999 Greg Norman Holden Classic in Australia and more recently the 2003 Virginia Beach Open, USA. 

Michael is currently competing on the Australasian Tour.  As part of Michael's involvement with VSL Golf he will be writing for our golf newsletter keeping you up to date on his life on tour. 

So, whether you are looking at a large corporate golf event or a short golfing tour for a few buddies, Earle and his team will ensure you have a great experience.

For more information on Michael Long click here to be redirected to his website.

Who is Vintage Sport and Leisure?

Vintage Sport & Leisure (VSL) was established in 2000, to provide

• expert advisory, consulting and management services to sports organisations in New Zealand and Australia. http://www.vslevents.com/

• tours and events with a sports theme, initially concentrating on the “Vintage” brand of events, but also to run tours for individual teams or small groups.   .

The professionals behind VSL have been at the leading edge of sports management and administration, both in New Zealand and internationally, for many years.  They have a vast range of contacts throughout the world. 

VSL has a close association with Gullivers Group Ltd based in Tewkesbury, England. Gullivers hold a significant shareholding in Vintage Sport and Leisure Ltd and through their subsidiary Gullivers Sports Travel, assist with the management of a number of VSL events.

What is “Vintage”

For most sports, as you get older, you can't quite handle the same degree of exertion or physical contact required to compete even though you still love your chosen sport.  With a new, friendly style that preserves the spirit and tradition of the game, Vintage Sports  allows players of all ages and abilities to continue their sporting careers for much longer than may have been planned.  Tournaments are categorised according to age and ability to ensure teams are well matched and the emphasis is on having fun and camaraderie. 

Other Sports

Apart from Golf, Vintage Sports and Leisure also involved in the following sports.  Click on the links to take you to the relevant website.

• 2nd World Vintage Softball Carnival – Hawaii - 2008
• 3rd World Vintage Rugby Carnival – Christchurch, New Zealand -  2008.
• 4th World Vintage Cricket Carnival - Stratford Upon Avon, UK - 2008
• 2nd World Schools Golf Challenge - Adelaide -