National honours at two levels for teenager

Lachlan Hughes Photo/File

February 2015 is gearing up as the biggest month in the golf croquet career of Wanganui teenager Lachlan Hughes after his selection in both the Under 21 and Open New Zealand teams for their respective world championships.

"Definitely proud of that, I suppose I want to do really well," said the 16-year-old who is currently studying mechanical engineering at Intranz.

Hughes was part of the three-person New Zealand U21 team which travelled to Egypt in April last year and took on the Egyptian national U21 team in a challenge series, after players from three other counties could not make it through lack of funds.

He played well to come sixth overall among the 12 players.

This time, Hughes said U21 players from Egypt, Australia, England and locally will be taking part.

As well as the U21 world cup, Hughes' form over the last 18 months has also seen him invited to the Open world championships, meaning a very quick turnaround for the respective tournaments in Christchurch and Mount Maunganui in February.

"The U21s finish on a Friday. I fly from Christchurch to Tauranga on the Saturday, and Saturday night is the opening ceremony."

The players invited to attend the open include competitors from Australian, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, South Africa, America, Sweden and Switzerland.

However, they must fund their own way here so it remains to be seen how large the field will be.

Hughes' elevation to the Open comes after winning the Duncan Dixon Invitation competition in Takapuna in February, which was for players ranked 10-20th in the country.

"I just started off the tournament really well and it kept going my way."

He will also enter the Yvonne Yeates Invitation tournament in Christchurch next month, which is for the country's top 10 players.

Hughes took up the sport under the tutelage of his grandfather Murray McNae, who will compete in a qualifying event before the open world championships for the chance to take part.