One of the many great things about golf is that it quickly dashes any misconceptions you may have had about it being the preserve of the toffs and nobs.
Here at The Hills, the first person I meet on an extremely chilly morning is Errol, a retired mechanic and truck driver from Westport.
He is working as a water provider - and not expecting to be too busy until the sun comes out later in the day.
Errol is a golf nut and proudly tells me there are seven courses on the Coast. He volunteered at the first Open at The Hills in 2007, and loves the opportunity to see the action up close.
We finish our chat as the first couple of groups of golfers wander up the hill to the first tee.
One is Ryan Fox, the promising New Zealand professional.
And look at that familiar figure carrying his bags.
Yep, it's Ryan's rather famous father, Grant, the All Black great.
Both Foxes have their game face on as Ryan blasts off the first tee with his 2-iron.
It was a crisp start to the day but the sun is now beaming down, and golfers are loving the relatively still conditions.
New Zealand's Josh Geary is playing beautifully - and his snazzy blue pants are also turning a few heads.
It's way, way too early to get excited but I speak for everyone here (well, those of us without Australian accents) when I say it would be great if Geary maintains this form.
My colleague, Dave Cannan, is over at Millbrook following Rocco Mediate and Ricky Ponting. Read all about it in tomorrow's Otago Daily Times.
