Golf: National left-handed golf championships

They're not weird, they don't think they're quirky but they're quite clearly a minority. They're the lefties, and it won't be hard to spot competitors in next week's national left-handed golf championships.

They're the ones standing on the "right" side of the ball.

The Mt Maunganui and Omanu courses are hosting the four-day championship, which has attracted 214 golfers, including 15 from Australia.

The tournament starts on Monday. New Zealand's most famous lefty, Sir Bob Charles, hasn't entered but almost a third of the field boasts a handicap index of 10 or less.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES