The 21st Kaikoura Pro-Am set to go

The 21st Kaikoura Pro-Am set to go

Caption: Kaikoura Golf Club.

Kaikoura Golf Club, which is situated just a few kilometres from tourist hotspot Kaikoura, has an almost iconic status. This is in no small way because of its annual professional-amateur tournament dating back to 2001.

The tournament, which usually boasts a field with many of New Zealand’s leading professionals, did not miss a beat since 2001 even beating covid in 2020. However thanks to covid restrictions the 21st event last year was cancelled.

So we come to 2022 and the 21st Hunting and Fishing Kaikoura Pro-Am which will be played on October 8 and 9 over 36 holes. 

Remarkably, the last four events have all ended in a tie for first. In 2017 it was Dongwoo Kang and Pieter Zwart. In 2018 it was Victor Tanin and Jared Pender. In 2019 it was Blair Riordan and Sam An and in 2019 it was Dongwoo Kang and Kieran Muir.

The benefits of a close knit supportive community are very obvious at this iconic event. 

Allan Heffer reported there had been 25 professionals entered by the end of last month. Heffer also assures all that the crayfish are sunning themselves on the beaches, the deer are up on the hills waiting to be made into pies and the fish are waiting to be caught, filleted and cooked in a nice batter for all the players to enjoy as a taste of Kaikoura.

Finally he reveals one four-man team is going to win a mystery helicopter ride. Sounds like another belter of a weekend is in store. — By Neville Idour.