Sir Bob Charles famously won his first New Zealand Open title as an 18-year-old amateur in 1954 at Heretaunga and in 2011 at least 10 amateurs have a chance of emulating that feat at the New Zealand Open.
Eight New Zealand amateurs have been invited to the play the event at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from December 1-4 with two Australian amateurs also included.
New Zealand No 1 Ryan Fox, who recently played the championship layout with Sir Bob, leads the Kiwi charge alongside senior amateur representatives Ben Campbell and Mathew Perry.
"It is a privilege to be playing in the New Zealand Open, especially with so many of our top players, and former champions playing,'' said the 24-year-old Fox who is preparing to turn professional at the end of 2011. "It also gives me a good opportunity to see how my game compares to the some of the guys I'm hoping to compete with next year.''
Amateurs invited to play the New Zealand Open:
