Hunting and Fishing - and Golf- The 2021 Hunting and Fishing Kaikoura Pro-Am

The first tee at Kaikoura with the Southern Alps providing a majestic background.

By Neville Idour

The 2021 Hunting and Fishing Kaikoura Pro-Am will be the 21st edition and has of necessity, because of covid-19 restrictions, been postponed until November 5-7.

However this too is dependent on the country being in level one by then. So, no doubt, there will be a lot of bated breath over the next few weeks.

As promised we will run a bird's eye view over the history of the 20 events to date.

On October 12 and 13 of 2001, 124 players, including 29 professionals, teed off in windy conditions. Richard Best with a 70 and outstanding 64 (10 under par) was four shots clear of Grant Moorhead and Peter Giles who finished tied for second.

The iconic Lobster Inn was sponsor in the early years and was a popular watering hole.

In 2002 Michael Duncumb (136) headed Richard Best on 139.

A large field of 156 (39 pros) found wet conditions the following year when Tony Christie and Stuart Malcomson tied for first.

Record numbers, 168 (42 pros ) fronted in 2004 when Nicholas Davey recorded his first win as a pro with 69 and 66, one shot ahead of Richard Best who again showed his love affair with the course.

The year 2005 featured another record with 57 pros and 50 teams. Grant Moorhead got the win this time with 137, a shot better than S Gordon.

Sunny conditions and strong winds were challenging for the strong field of 188 in 2006. Mark Brown (136) just edged Michael Hendry (137).

In 2007 Tony Christie repeated his earlier effort in 2003, this time tying with Brad Shilton. In 2008 it was Andy Gang with a four shot margin over Garth Domigan and Marcus Wheelhouse.

The 2009 edition brought much drama for the 47 teams. Richard Lee who had the ability to go really low on occasions shot a brilliant 62 in fine conditions. Another highlight was local player Chris Cumpstone’s hole in one. On Saturday night a wet and blustery southerly arrived forcing the cancellation of the teams' event. With the weather forecast to improve in the afternoon the Kaikoura Volunteer Fire Brigade came to the rescue to help sweep water off the greens so play could start.

The pros played in groups of three and while conditions were not ideal it was dry. Michael Hendry was too good winning by five shots from Alex Tait.

The following year Leighton James won his first tournament as a pro with a one shot margin over Anthony Doyle.

Less than perfect weather greeted the 2011 field and Richard Lee clinched the deal this time with 67 and 69.

The field in 2012 featured 188 players ( 48 pros ) with Troy Ropiha 137 a two-shot winner. However the best scores over the weekend belonged to the local club champion Aaron Reid with 68, 67, an outstanding achievement.

Richard Lee with 68 and 62 scored his second win in 2013. He enjoyed the excellent conditions and his 62 took him to a three shot win from Craig Hamilton.

In 2014 Sean Riordan won a play-off from Jared Pender and Shaun Jones. Jared Pender’s won in 2015 by two shots from Blair Riordan. Weather reduced 2016 to one round and Hamish Campbell’s 65 was one shot better than Kieran Muir and and Brad Haywood.

In 2017 there were 37 teams which enjoyed fine weather with northerners Dongwoo Kang and Pieter Zwart tying ahead of third placed Luke Toomey.

There was another tie in 2018 between Victor Janin and regular Jared Pender, with Hamish Campbell third. Fine weather again prevailed the following year with yet another tie for first between Blair Riordan and Sam An, with Mason Lee third.

Despite the covid pandemic, timing was ideal for the 2020 event to go ahead with a strong field of 59 pros and 47 teams. Yet again there was a tie for first. This time Dongwoo Kang and Kieran Muir took the spoils with Tae Koh third.

It is easy to see that despite only mentioning the first two or three placegetters, that this event is popular and draws players from all over the country year after year.

The 2021 version, covid permitting, already has 38 pros registered. Many of our best are among them including Michael Hendry, Gareth Paddison, Luke Toomey, Harry Bateman, Dongwoo Kang, Ryan Chisnall, Jordan Loof, Kerry Mountcastle, Troy Ropiha and the outstanding female Momoka Kobori.

This tournament heralds the start of a run of nine events culminating in The Hills Invitation Pro-Am on December 18. No doubt a majority of New Zealand’s pros will have the dates firmly in their diaries.