The recently appointed head greenkeeper of the 18-hole championship golf course has had a busy first week as the club prepares to host its major annual event, the Hirequip Charity Golf Tournament.
Originally from Canada, Mr LaRose comes to his first head greenkeeping job from the Waitikiri golf course in northeast Christchurch.
Given the consistent rainfall through February, the golf course was in "good nick", with the tournament greens expected to run "true and fast" during the weekend, he said.
About 200 golfers will tee off in Wanaka this morning for the three-day tournament, which has grown to become a major community fundraising event during its eight-year history.
Tournament organiser Bill Hore said the golf club had raised more than $126,000 for charitable causes around Wanaka through the popular annual event.
A total of 50 teams had entered the tournament, a "surprise" increase on last year, he said.
Funds raised through the event, which culminates with a charity auction after the tournament prizegiving ceremony, will benefit the Upper Clutha Lifecare Medical Trust, which was recently set up in memory of Wanaka community stalwart, the late Bill King.
