Many a tall story is bound to be told when more than 300 golfers converge on Wanganui in the next few days for the annual Clubs New Zealand North Island Golf Tournament at two venues.
The annual chartered clubs competition is traditionally shared and this year will be hosted by the St Johns Club in the River City.
St Johns Club golf adjunct president Stu Watts said 53 chartered clubs from throughout the North Island will each field a team of three golfers in the main championship section, while upwards of 160 supporters will take the field for the less serious competition.
"This time it will be hosted at the Castlecliff course and the Wanganui Golf Club's links at Belmont. Last year it was held in Pukekohe," Watts said yesterday.
"There are something like 150 or so entered in the main competition and 160 in the supporters' rounds. It will be a medal competition with the main lot playing at Belmont on Friday and then again at Belmont on Saturday. The supporters will also alternate between venues.
"We are expecting around 330 people to compete and by far the majority from out of town - the furthest away are coming from Kamo in Northland.
"Most of them are booked in to motels and hotels and I'm sure they will spend up large while they're here, so there's major spin-offs for the city. This traditionally is a fun tournament, although there is a slightly serious side to the main competition," Watts said.
Wanganui Golf Club secretary/manager Keith Stewart said around 115 had booked in for a practice round at Belmont tomorrow.