SBS Bank will end its 28-year naming rights sponsorship of the Invercargill Golf Club in March 2026, as part of a strategy to diversify its community support across the region.
While stepping back from the overall naming rights, the bank will continue to sponsor the SBS Bank Practice Fairway and has pledged significant funding for clubhouse renovations at the historic Otatara course, which was established in 1900.
As reported in The Press: “We’re restructuring our sponsorship approach to support a broader range of organisations throughout the region,” explained SBS Group chief executive Mark McLean. The bank conducts annual reviews of its sponsorship commitments.
McLean highlighted SBS Bank’s extensive community involvement, noting current partnerships across various sectors including healthcare, sports, and the arts. Among these are the Southland Loss and Grief Centre, Hawthorndale Care Village, Ronald McDonald House, Southland Foundation, Alzheimers Southland, and Invercargill Musical Theatre. The bank also supports numerous sports organisations, including the Southland Stags, Southland Sharks, Southland Football Women and Girls, the SBS Bank Tour of Southland, and various community initiatives through SBS Sports House.
“Community partnership and sponsorship has been an important part of our work for decades, and we look forward to continuing this 20-year relationship with the Invercargill Golf Club,” McLean said.
Club President Wayne Hamilton said the club was grateful to have had SBS on board as a sponsor for so long.
“They’ve been an integral part of our organisation,” he told The Press.
“We’ve had some loose discussions with members who may be able to help with company sponsorships.”
The partnership between SBS Bank and the Invercargill Golf Club began in 1998.
