$3.5m up for grabs in Cape golf challenge

ANENDRA SINGH
The picturesque Cape Kidnappers Golf Course will take centre stage in millions of American homes in mid-November.
The American network NBC will feature the course's October 28 made-for-television clash between four of the world's best young golfers in the premium 4-6pm weekend time slots.
In what is billed to be the richest golf tournament to be held in New Zealand, Australian world No4 Adam Scott, and Americans Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Hunter Mahan will try to tame the private course for US$2.6 million ($3.5 million) in prize money.
The two-round event, called the Kiwi Challenge, starts with 18 holes at Kauri Cliffs in Northland on Labour Day, with the second round the next day at the 7119m Tom Doak-designed course.
``All proceeds from here will go to Hawke's Bay charities,' said Cape Kidnappers' director of golf Jeremy Carlsen.
A limited number of spectator tickets go on sale from Friday.
The Kiwi Challenge offers a $2 million cheque to the winner. The owner of both courses, Wall St tycoon Julian Robertson, said from New York: ``My family and I are tremendously excited about having four of the finest young golfers in the world showcasing our two golf properties in New Zealand.
``These courses reflect the natural beauty of this magnificent country and are microcosms of their surrounding areas.'
All four players are ranked in the top 40 in the world - with Kim at No13, Mahan (pronounced May-han) at No36 and Snedeker at No40. Scott, who turned 28 this month, is the oldest of the four and Kim, 23, the youngest.
New Zealand Titleist Academy coach Brian Doyle, of Hastings, said apart from Scott, the other three players were not particularly well-known here.
But their world top-40 ranking indicated the standard of play in the United States.
``Okay, they are not Tiger Woods or Vijay Singh, but I tell you, these guys will be good,' Doyle said.
``It'll be a travesty if people don't go to watch these world-class people in their own backyard.'
Scott, of Adelaide, said: ``I'm a global player, but it's always nice to return to the southern hemisphere and to compete on two beautiful courses that are going to provide a great test of golf and a spectacular setting.'
Kim, who grew up in southern California, provides the fire to Scott's cool charisma.
In May, he became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in six years, winning the Wachovia Championship. Kim cruised home at 16-under-par to break Tiger Woods' event record by three shots.
Snedeker, 27, said: ``It's hard for me to relay the feeling of how excited myself and my fiancee, Mandy [Toth], are to visit New Zealand.
``We're getting married right before the Kiwi Challenge in October and this will be a honeymoon to remember.'
A two-time All-American at Oklahoma State, Mahan won the Jack Nicklaus Award and Fred Haskins Award as top collegiate golfer in 2003.
In 2007, he earned his first PGA Tour victory.