Getting today’s CER Electrical and Holmes Construction Martinborough Pro-Am off the ground has proved a challenge for organisers, but the popular event has still attracted a strong field.
The clubhouse has recently been demolished to make way for the construction of a new building, and a temporary building and a marquee have been erected to house the players, volunteers and others during the day.
Although the disruption of not having a permanent clubroom has created extra pressure in organising the tournament, Martinborough club captain Andy Morison said there has been tremendous support from local businesses and club members to keep the popular tournament going.
A full field of 45 professionals will be randomly drawn with teams of three amateurs for the 18-hole tournament.
The entries include NZPGA Order of Merit leader Jake Meenhorst, joint winners of the recent Masterton Pro-Am Mason Lee and veteran Gareth Paddison, Masterton professional Harry Bateman [sixth in the Order of Merit], and the Masterton Golf Club’s two resident professionals, Shaun Hewitt and Joel Macklin.
The professionals will play for a prize pool of $25000, which is one of the highest on the PGA tour.
Gazley Motors, Wellington, has also put up a $50000 VW Golf for the first hole-in-one on the 136m par-three eighth hole, and Fujitsu is sponsoring $1000 cash for the nearest to the pin on one of the holes.
Morison expects some hot scoring on the course, which he said is in perfect condition and hard and fast.
