Golf: Full field for opening Tour NZ event

A full field of 144 players will contest the first of the Golf Tour of New Zealand events, the Taranaki Open in New Plymouth next week.

The $40,000 event takes place at one of the country's premier coastal courses, Ngamotu Golf Club, starting on Wednesday.

Golf Tour New Zealand is a new initiative by former top New Zealand professional Greg Turner for the country's elite golfers, both professional and amateur, along with the leading female players.

The New Zealand teams for the Espirito Santo and Eisenhower World Amateur Teams Championship in Puerto Rico will have their final shakedown at the tournament.

Thirty-six professionals have entered the inaugural tour event, headed by former New Zealand Amateur representative Tim Wilkinson.

The lefthander is home briefly before returning in an attempt to gain his full card on the USPGA Tour for next year.

- NZPA