Golf: Eric Murray swaps oar for clubs

Eric Murray plays golf off a 18-handicap.

Eric Murray will join the field for the ISPS Handa New Zealand Golf Open in Queenstown next month.

The double Olympic rowing champion first tried the game at high school, and plays off an 18-handicap.

He has made a social return since retiring after the Rio Games.

The 35-year-old used to play regularly at the Maramarua club near the family home at Bombay.

"I always thought when I was involved in rowing that I would have time to play golf a bit, but that never happened," Murray said.

"I was invited to the Steven Adams Charity event and since then decided to dedicate some time to playing again, and I am loving it."

He has become a member of the Cambridge club and received some expert tuition at the St Peter's School academy.

"I enjoy the strategic part of golf and the technical focus, that it is not just about the shot you are hitting but the next shot," Murray said.

The 99th New Zealand Open takes place at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from March 1-4.

The $1.2 million prizemoney event will see 144 players compete for the first two rounds before they are cut to 60 players plus ties to contest the final two rounds. The event also sees 144 amateur players take part, each partnering with a professional in a two-man best-ball event for the first two rounds.

Murray is included in the amateur field, alongside the likes of rally driver Hayden Paddon, former double international Jeff Wilson, cricketers Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Sir Ian Botham and baseballer Masumi Kuwata.

Paddon will fly home to compete after the Rally of Sweden.

The 30-year-old plays off a 12.9 handicap and was introduced to the game by his grandfather who was a greenkeeper.

"My grandad always took me out golfing with him. That's where the love for the sport started and through my high school years, I would be playing two or three times a week."

The field will be finalised this week, with six players to be added from final qualifying at Cromwell Golf Club and Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club on February 26.