Meanwhile, the Emerre and Hathaway Poverty Bay men’s open postponed from last year due to Covid-19 will go ahead from March 3 to 5 at the Awapuni Links.
The field has been restricted to 96 (six groups of 16) and the Keiha Cup championship 16 winner will be crowned the 2021 champion.
Reigning champion and host course greenkeeper William Brown will defend the title while the man he beat in the 2020 final — Electrinet Park and New Zealand men’s veteran champion Anaru Reedy — is also back for another crack.
Twice Open champions Andrew Higham (Te Puia Springs) and Peter Kerekere (Poverty Bay) are also in the field, along with seven-time winner Waka Donnelly (Napier) and former winners David Solomann (1995) of Whitford Park in Auckland, Poverty Bay’s Simon Jeune (2019) and Park’s Tony Akroyd (2007).
Among the outsiders of note are 2019 runner-up Tim Neill, his Matamata clubmate Paul Wood, who last month shot an eight-birdie, 6-under 65 on his home track, and former North Harbour representative Ben Jujnovich (Redwood Park).
Among other local players expected to feature in the top group are Poverty Bay’s Glenn Morley, who will be dangerous if he continues his form of late, and Patutahi’s Dwayne Russell and Hukanui Brown.
The field includes over 40 golfers from outside Tairawhiti — from Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington.
The second Poverty Bay men’s open this year — the 2022 edition — will be held from September 22 to 24.
Tolaga Bay Golf Club has confirmed its King of the Coast men’s open is all go for July 30 and 31.
The Poverty Bay Open, East Coast Open and King of the Coast make up what has become known as The Triple Crown of men’s golf tournaments in the region.
