Gillespie said the pro-am was an ideal build up for the professionals. "Some will head on to other tournaments in New Zealand while others are using it as a warm-up to tournaments in Australia later in the year."
Among the pros teeing off this week are Mark Brown, Josh Geary, Nick Gillespie and last year's winner, Troy Roper.
"Josh hasn't been here before and the last time Mark played here was in 1994. We've also got senior pros here including well-known former Wanganui golfing brothers Simon and Craig Owen, and Marty Webber from Wellington," Gillespie said.
The three-man amateur teams include players from as far afield as Invercargill and Hawke's Bay.
Entry for spectators is free and Gillespie said there would be two barbecue centres strategically placed around the course providing food.
"This is a great chance to see some of our best players in action and we're keeping fingers crossed with the weather.
"We're keen to get pro golf back in Wanganui on a regular basis and Belmont still rates as a great course for these players."
He said the support from the locals had been "hugely important" to make this sort of event a success, as had the work of the organising committee.
