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Omaha, Warkworth and Mangawhai golf clubs hosted up to 56 pro golfers, over five days last month, as part of the Northern Swing ProAm series.
Omaha Beach Golf Club celebrated its 20th anniversary of the event, which is the longest running ProAm in New Zealand and still hosts golfers who have competed in it since its inception.
Fifty pros played from March 24 to 26, and were partnered with three amateur players each.
Harry Bateman took home the $5400 prize money, shooting 66 on both days to move ahead of Hayden Beard, who cracked a course record of 62 on day one.
Club general manager Mike Reid says the pros commented on both the quality of the course and the hospitality provided.
The club had a particular focus at this year’s ProAm on involving younger golfers, in an effort to attract more juniors to the club. This included four pros doing a 90-minute coaching session, as well as signing autographs.
Caps signed by the pros were auctioned, raising $700 for junior golf.
Warkworth Golf Club hosted the only NZPGA certified women’s ProAm on March 27, where 56 pros partnered with 84 amateurs.
David Klein, who lives in Te Anau, shot two off the course record of 60 set in 2015 by Ryan Fox, to win the largest share of an $11,000 prize pool.
With three holes to go, a rain delay stopped play for an hour at 4pm, but all teams completed the course once play resumed.
Event organiser Marie Claydon says the feedback all round was positive and she is already in talks with sponsors, with high hopes of running the ProAm for what would be its third time next year.
Mangawhai Golf Club was pleased to be back on the ProAm circuit for the first time in seven years with its event held on March 28, inviting 29 pros, who teamed up with 91 amateurs. Pieter Zwart snatched first place with a score of 67 and the largest share of an $11,000 prize pool.
Mangawhai Golf Club shop manager Nick Launder says although the event was financially challenging, it was worthwhile and will most likely be run again next year with a commitment already from sponsors.
He says the greens were in top condition and the club has a growing membership.
