Stars come out to add pro-am shine

REGULAR: Troy Ropiha will be one of the usual professional suspects turning out for the Pin High Craig Investment Partners pro-am in Wanganui next week.PHOTO/FILE A-220912WCRCGOLF3

SOME of the country's best pro talent will be on show at the Wanganui Golf Club next weekend for the annual Pin High Craig Investment Partners pro-am.

The NZPGA-sanctioned 36-hole tournament will be played over two days - Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 6. More than 30 professionals will join teams of three amateurs.

Stu Gillespie, one of the organisers, said a mix of seasoned and new professionals would take part.

"The thing about these pro-ams is getting some of younger pros on to the circuit and at the moment we've got 26 confirmed teams and could comfortably handle 30," Gillespie said. "We're trying to put together a couple of other teams and if we can get to 30, that's ideal. We'll be working over the next few days to get those teams finalised."

The tournament is into its fifth year and the bulk of the sponsors are back, including principals Craigs Investment Partners and Tasman Tanning.

Ryan Fox, Mike Hendry and Josh Carmichael would be the only "name" pros not attending this year, Gillespie said.

"Most people will know that Ryan's doing great things in Europe. Michael's currently in Japan and Josh is there caddying for him.

"Josh won our event in its first year but apart from Ryan, Michael and him, we've got a very strong field."

Starters include Daniel Pearce, Brad Shilton, Troy Ropiha, former Wanganui golfing brothers Simon and Craig Owen, and Nick Gillespie. NZPGA president Susan Farron will be another starter.

Gillespie is hoping the weather gods smile kindly. Last year the event was abbreviated when gale-force winds made the course unplayable.

"The greens and course are in great nick, bearing in mind the sort of weather we've had in last couple of months."

While the pros will play for $20,000 in prizemoney, there are exceptional prizes for the amateurs.

"We've got regular teams of amateurs, supported by the likes of Craigs, Balance Chartered Accountants and Sewell and Wilson, so we have great support from the local community.

"There's more locals than outsiders playing in it but we're always trying to make it bigger and better."

Gillespie said that at 3pm on Thursday, September 3, PGA teaching professional Scottie Hill and other professionals would run a clinic for "anybody interested in learning how to play golf, basically".

-For more details contact Wanganui Golf Club, (06) 349 0559