Sir Bob Charles famously won his first New Zealand Open title as an 18-year-old amateur in 1954 at Heretaunga and in 2011 at least 10 amateurs have a chance of emulating that feat at the New Zealand Open.
Eight New Zealand amateurs have been invited to the play the eventat the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from December 1-4 with two Australian amateurs also included.
New Zealand No 1 Ryan Fox, who recently played the championship layout with Sir Bob, leads the Kiwi charge alongside senior amateur representatives Ben Campbell and Mathew Perry.
"It is a privilege to be playing in the New Zealand Open, especially with so many of our top players, and former champions playing,'' said the 24-year-old Fox who is preparing to turn professional at the end of 2011. "It also gives me a good opportunity to see how my game compares to the some of the guys I'm hoping to compete with next year.''
