Golf: Senior players ready for golf titles

Top amateurs from Waikato and Auckland will contest the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato seniors golf championship next week.

Past winners and challengers make up a strong field which will play three of Waikato's finest courses on consecutive days.

The 54-hole champs starts on Friday, May 3, with 18 holes at the Waikare Golf Club, Te Kauwhata, followed by 18 holes at the Narrows Golf Club on Saturday and a final round at the Hamilton Golf Club on Sunday.

For the first time in the event, masters players (aged 40 to 49 years) will join the three senior divisions - 50-54 years, 55-59 years and 60 years and over.

Onewhero's Martin Tumata will be a strong contender in the new master's division. He won the Waikato Masters Championship late last year and knows the Waikare course well.

Last year's champions, Aucklanders Dave Izzard, Brian Cronin and Mike Leitch will be in with a great chance. Former winner Arthur Parkin is in the field and cannot be discounted.

Ian Hamilton and Wybo Veldman, both from the Hamilton club, are also looking good to be at the right end of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Ian Marshall is always a great performer and Veldman took his age group in 2011.

Entries were restricted to 96 players with the lowest handicap index.

Tournament organisers says a few tee times are available. To enter, contact megan@waikatogolf.co.nz or phone 07 849 1328.