Rotana tries for Lakeview Classic hat-trick

Rotorua's Rotana Howard is putting for a hat-trick of Lakeview Golf Classic title wins in the women's field. PHOTO/ FILE.

Rotorua's Rotana Howard will be bidding for a hat-trick of Lakeview Golf Classic title wins when she takes to the course tomorrow. In the two-day event the number one seed is aiming to defend her title over 36 holes.

But the Bay of Plenty representative, coached by former New Zealand player and amateur national No 1 Paul Hartstone, said there would be some tricky hurdles to overcome on the Rotorua course.

"It will be difficult as I haven't been able to get loads of practice in ahead of the tournament but I'm looking forward to it," she said.

"It's not an easy course - hole six is the hardest for me because it's a very long hole and there is a big dip along the course which can throw you.

"This tournament is very important because it builds confidence for the rest of the season."

Hartstone added: "Rotana is a very talented golfer - with a brilliant rhythmic swing, and if she just believes in herself she will certainly be challenging at the top."

The annual tournament, run for the last 20 years, has 92 golfers in the field, with half local competitors from Rotorua clubs Lakeview and Springfield and international entries from the Cook Islands and Australia.

In the men's section there are two divisions, with prizes for the best stableford and gross scores like the single women's field.

Last year's men's champion, Landyn Edwards is favoured to win the overall gross but locals Mike Ryan Jnr and Houston Te Puni will push him all the way.

Local Landyn Edwards will be defending his title. PHOTO/FILE.

"Everything is set for a tremendous tournament, with the course looking in very good nick," said Lakeview president Hartstone.

"The fields are very even so it could even come down to the last couple of holes. It will be crucial to get off to a good start on day one and push on from there."

The 2016 Lakeview Golf Classic 36-hole tournament starts tomorrow at 9am and will resume on Sunday at the same time.