Golf: 'Amazing' line-up of talent for men's competition

Yeverley McCarthy, of Hawea Flat, puts her putting skills to the test as (from left) Anne McKenzie, of Dunedin, Gill Dagg, of Arrowtown, and Becs Calder, of Omakau, look on, during yesterday's women's 36-hole championships, part of the six-day Wanaka Golf Club Infinity September tournament. Photo by Lucy Ibbotson.

The tournament dates back as far as 1936, and is believed to be the biggest golfing event in the South Island.

The women's competition started on Monday and concluded yesterday with the women's 36-hole championship won by Liz McRae, of Wanaka, with a score of 160.

The men's competition begins today and runs through until Saturday. Each competition follows the same tournament format - stableford on day one, four-ball best-ball on day two, and 36-hole championships on the final day.

Golf club operations manager Grant Bunting said there would be an "amazing" line-up of talent teeing off in the men's 36-hole championship on Saturday.

"It's probably the best team assembled in years, with a senior division handicap ranging from 0 to 4," he said. "We've got five of the top six golfers from last year's inter-provincial competition, including Otago No 1 Brent McEwan. He'll be the hard man to beat this year."

Bunting said Wanaka representatives Mitch Bosley and Simon Hollyer would give McEwan some tough competition.

Southland representatives Matt Tautari and Cody Harper were also highly ranked, as was Andrew Hobbs, who beat McEwan by one shot at last weekend's Chisholm Park Open.