Greenkeeper set to tee off in Pro-Am

LOCAL HOPE: The three-day Rotorua Open starts today at Rotorua Golf Club. Pictured is Rotorua contender Landyn Edwards. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 120114SP41

Rotorua golfer Landyn Edwards will take a short break from greenkeeping to begin his charge in the Rotorua Open.

More than 100 golfers will compete in the 2014 Rotorua Open starting today.

The Open tournament has long been an amateur event, but has partnered with the New Zealand PGA Trainee Championship this weekend, giving it Pro-Am status.

Edwards, who works as a greenkeeper at Lakeview Golf and Country Club, won the Rotorua Open in 2010 and has since won the Springfield Open twice (2012 and 2014).

The 23-year-old said it would mean a lot to win the Rotorua Open again.

"I haven't won it for a couple of years and it would be good to get it under my belt and win the Springfield Open and the Rotorua Open in the same year," he said.

"But it will be tough. The scoring will probably be quite good with all the trainees ... and the greens should be quick."

Edwards will compete alongside top amateurs and trainee professionals who are undergoing a three-year professional apprenticeship with the New Zealand PGA.

Edwards said if he can play his iron shots well during the next three days he should be in with a good chance. "If you can get that going and get the putts rolling it should be a good day."

He said the course at Rotorua Golf Club was always in good condition and he liked it because you could drive a couple of the holes.

Edwards said he has not played a lot of golf since winning the Springfield Open in January and was happy to finish 11th at the New Zealand Stroke Play Championships in Hastings last week.

The first round will be held today at Rotorua Golf Club, with the second and third rounds held tomorrow and the fourth round played on Sunday.

The 36 professional trainees will play for $8000 in prize money, giving the open a pro-am status. The NZPGA will supply the prize money while the Rotorua Golf Club will supply a prize table for the amateurs.