Queenstown golfers put together some mixed efforts in the opening round of the NZ Open yesterday.
James Anstiss made a dream start, Ben Campbell had a disappointing last hole and Fraser MacLachlan came home strong.
Campbell, who was in a playoff two years ago at Millbrook, only to lose to Michael Hendry, was handy enough in the opening round, and sat on three under for a period, playing on the Millbrook course, which he has taken a liking to.
Starting on the 10th hole, Campbell was on three under after a birdie on his 17th hole.
He ended badly, though, with a double bogey on the final hole and went down to one under, in a tie for 39th.
MacLachlan finished with a two over 72 at The Hills, although he finished with three birdies in the final four holes.
It was MacLachlan's first foray into the professional game after qualifying late last year in tour qualifying in Australia. He played the NZ Open last year as an amateur but failed to make the cut.
He may have to shoot well under par at Millbrook to make the cut and play over the weekend.
Anstiss made a fantastic start to his round, shooting an eagle on his first hole.
Starting on the 10th hole, he mastered the par five at Millbrook.
He dropped a shot two holes later but
had a solid round and came back well, carding two further birdies , to end up on on three under, with a 68 after 18 holes.
He was scheduled to start early today at The Hills, while Campbell and MacLachlan were scheduled to play in the afternoon.
Otago women's amateur number one Laura Hoskin played as an amateur in the pro-am and was paired with former New Zealand Open winner Michael Long at The Hills.
Hoskin finished on five under, recording a 67 for The Hills.
