The PGA of New Zealand Pro-Am circuit is back in action in
Auckland with the two day City Pharmacy Group Takapuna Pro-Am starting tomorrow
at the Thomas Park course, traditional battleground for weekend and weekday
warriors alike. Given the quality of the
field, with the likes of Brad Shilton, Gareth Paddison and 2016 Mondiale NZ PGA
Order of Merit winner Kieran Muir all taking part, plus Grant Moorhead and the
evergreen Richard Lee, a sub 60 score may well be on, with the tournament tees
set at 5,479 metres and a par of 70.
The circuit then moves to the Waitemata Golf Club on
Thursday for the Bayleys Waitemata Pro-Am, where low scores should also be on
offer.
As well, there will be much interest in the Race to the NZ
PGA Championship, where two starting slots are available for club and coaching
PGA members, based on an Order of Merit ranking system for this group, which
started with the recent Whitford Park Pro-Am.
It’s early days yet, but at the moment recently graduated PGA
professional Ben Guilford has a handy lead, followed by Nick Davey, Grant
Moorhead and Marcus Wheelhouse. We’ll
keep you posted on this ongoing contest in the run up to the Lawnmaster NZ PGA
Championship, which tees off at the Manawatu Golf Club on March 2nd.