Campbell heads strong local bid

National under-23 champion and New Zealand junior representative Ben Campbell will spearhead what should be a formidable local challenge at the Wairarapa open stroke play golf championships at the Lansdowne course this weekend.
Supporting Campbell in a bid to keep a powerful visiting contingent at bay will be Otago senior stroke play champion Michael Schofield, Brent McKenzie, who had the Wairarapa title in his sights two years ago and is currently playing some of the best golf of his career, Harry Batman, who was only one shot away from being involved in the playoff to decide the winner of the corresponding event 12 months ago, and the Tuoro brothers, Phil and Jeffery.
Last year's winner Andrew Green from Shandon is not defending his title this year because of a commitment in Australia but returning is the player he beat in that playoff, Perry Hayman, who has already won the Wairarapa title on two occasions.
New Zealand amateur stroke play champion James Betts from Paraparaumu is a definite starter as well and his consistency should see him to the fore in a contest which involves 36 holes of play tomorrow and another 36 holes on Sunday.