Golf: Perry and Campbell named to represent NZ

Ben Campbell. Photo / Supplied.

Ben Campbell and Mathew Perry have been named as the two golfers to represent New Zealand at the upcoming Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy in Portugal.

The Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy is a match play championship between elite amateurs from Europe and their counterparts from the Asia-Pacific region and is played over three days.

The Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, which is famed for its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the first of its kind in the Algarve, will host the championship from April 25-27.

The pair will follow in the footsteps of some elite New Zealand amateurs, the likes of Tim Wilkinson, Eddie Lee, Mathew Holten, Brad Iles, Josh Geary and Mark Purser who have represented New Zealand in the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy.

"It means a great deal to me, to be selected in such a unique tournament is an honour, and had been a goal of mine coming into 2012," said 24-year-old Perry, who is from the Hamilton Golf Club.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for exposure in that part of the world as I know the Europeans hold this tournament in a high regard too."

Campbell added: "It's a great honour to be selected for such a great event. I can't wait for the experience and look forward to competing. It's always great to play against the best players in the world so will be a great experience to play match play against them.

"My form has been a bit up and down. I have been making some technical changes with the swing and it is starting to feel a lot better."

The first two days of the tournament comprise of five foursomes and five four-ball matches, with all 12 players from each team then competing in singles match play on the final day.

A bi-annual competition, 2010's event that was due to be staged in India was cancelled as a result of the Icelandic ash cloud which disrupted air traffic worldwide.

This is the first time that the tournament has taken place since 2008, and with the European team trailing in the list of all-time wins with only two victories to the Asia Pacific teams' four.

Perry said he expected conditions to be similar to the courses in Queensland, with hot days and a lot of grain on the greens.

"Any opportunity to play overseas and represent New Zealand is a great experience and loads of fun. Ben and I have travelled a lot together over the last few years which has been fantastic, so another opportunity to do this as our amateur careers draw to an end will be good fun," he said.

"I can't wait to get into that team environment and test myself against the best that Europe has to offer."