Mel cut her teeth in the events world by spending more than a decade building one of Auckland’s top event companies. But having grown up surrounded by sport and having studied a sports science degree, it was an easy move to dive heads first into running some of New Zealand’s biggest sports events. For four years Mel has been working with partner Michael Goldstein heading up The Clubhouse, New Zealand’s newest sports marketing business. Running the operations for the business Mel has the unenviable job of setting up and managing all of the operations for the prestigious New Zealand Open in Queenstown. With the new kid on the block in terms of NZ major events under her belt - the McKayson NZ Women’s Open – the Clubhouse entered new territory as event promoters. Known as MG3 amongst the golf fraternity, Mel has steadily learnt about golf over the past 6 years now that, even as a beginner golfer, she has no issue sitting around the table with golf officials from New Zealand and further abroad.

Recognising that a career in law wasn’t quite for him, Michael left his job in 2009 and began an experience that would take him around the world playing a game of golf, at a different golf course, every day for a year. Upon returning to New Zealand, Michael began to work in different areas of the golf industry in New Zealand, working on the New Zealand Open and drafting the Tourism New Zealand Golf Tourism Strategy. In 2015, Michael started The Clubhouse and began the challenge of bringing the global sports events to New Zealand. Michael has been involved in sport his entire life, playing hockey and cricket and is a passionate - if sometimes frustrated - blackcaps fan.

Our expert golf aficionado, cut from Canterbury cloth, Jack spent three years as caddy master in St Andrews, Scotland before returning home. Jack joined Team Clubhouse for the 2017 New Zealand Open in Queenstown. A smart lad and quick learner, he quickly found his niche in the Operations team and after rolling out three major golf tournaments in his first year he is now fundamental to the core of the Clubhouse team. He has taken the reigns as Operations Director for the 100th New Zealand Open in March 2019 and continues to hone his operational and event management skills.

A combination that suits The Clubhouse to a tee, not only does Sarah have over 17 years of event management and hospitality experience but she has a lifetime of experience in the golf sector. Prior to joining The Clubhouse, Sarah worked on multiple large-scale sporting and cultural events such as the New Zealand Food Awards, Air New Zealand Wine Awards, and the Fast5 Netball World Series Activation. A core team member of the New Zealand Open since 2015, Sarah now manages the Amateur Player Experience and Player Services team at The Clubhouse. This includes all aspects from selling pro-am playing spots right through to VIP hosting to ensure all our amateur players have an unforgettable experience. Sarah’s extensive event management experience coupled with her eye for detail and team leadership makes her an integral asset to the operations team.

Before joining The Clubhouse team, Lauren worked within the events industry splitting her time between graphic design and event management. A serial traveller in a former life, Lauren's last port of call was a spell living in Buenos Aires soaking up the city and brushing up on her Spanish before returning to New Zealand and having her kids. Seriously creative, she has spent the last several years working as a design freelancer and creative director of her design and lifestyle business Needle&I which sold hand-crafted children’s room decor pieces.

Originally born and educated in Invercargill Richard moved to Queenstown in 1992 and currently lives in Arrowtown. Having been involved in the Sport and Recreation and hospitality industry over the last two decades it was an easy decision to come on board with the Clubhouse Ltd to assist with the volunteer side of the organization.