Golf: Time for local masters to shine

Local players have a great chance of winning the 2013 Pro Drive Waikato Masters Golf Championships at Waikare.

The 36-hole championship will be played on August 17.

After a number of years dominated by out-of-town players, the time is ripe for some of the talented over 40s to stand up and be counted.

Former masters champion and 12 times Hamilton Golf Club champion Andrew McKechnie must be in with a chance. Off a plus one handicap, McKechnie is showing great form.

He was a member of the recent, history-making Waikato team which gained a win for the province in the Freyberg Masters at Napier and named player of the tournament.

And at the end of the month, he is part of a New Zealand seniors team travelling to Australia's Gold Coast to take on the Aussies at Sanctuary Cove in the Sanctuary Cove Cup. The Ryder Cup format always attacts a top-class field.

McKechnie will be joined at the masters by other members of the victorious Freyberg Masters team - Wybo Veldman, Phil Hunter, Ken Shea and John Gatley. One their day, any of the experienced four could be in contention.

Auckland clubs always provided a strong contingent for the Waikare event.

Past masters have included some of the best of New Zealand golf, including Auckland Golf Association life member Ken Hankin.

Last year, Onewhero golf Martin Tumata was masters champion. He always manages the tight Waikare layout well and promises to be in contention at the end.

Former champion, Aucklander Arthur Parkin won his 60-plus age division last year and was second overall. He cannot be counted out.