Day one of national Fire Service Golf

APPROACH: Tony Versteeg from Napier goes pin high on the 11th at Castlecliff yesterday on the first day of the PBI National Fire Service Golf Tournament.

Thankfully water is the life blood of firefighters as 121 lined up for day one of the PBI Fire Service National Golf Tournament in light showers at the Castlecliff links on Wednesday.

Hosted by the Whanganui Brigade, the annual tournament attracted firefighters from all over New Zealand to compete for more than just bragging rights.

Whanganui organiser Doug Bennett said many of the visitors were serious players on low handicaps.

"Most of these guys take this tournament very seriously. We have firefighters from as far as the deep south to Dargaville and Warkworth in the north and everywhere in between," Bennett said yesterday.

"It was almost perfect conditions on practice day Tuesday, but rain was falling this morning of day one of the competition proper. Luckily firemen don't melt in the rain.

Some arrived on Monday and had a round when the wind was blowing a howling gale at times. I think most would prefer to play in light showers than strong wind, though."

The tournament ends tomorrow, but today competitors will be aiming for their best shot of the week arrives on the par 3 13th hole at Castlecliff.

"Our major sponsor Wanganui Toyota has put up a $47,000 Hilux for anyone who can score a hole-in-one on the 13th. They have also put up $1500 for any player who can score an ace on any of the other par 3 holes," Bennett said.

The offer is only up for grabs today, however.

"We have 121 players entered and many of them have said how beautiful the course looks. They have also had a wander around town and like the look of the place."