For Waihi golfers the new year has opened with a flourish, and the Waihi Golf course has been well-patronized over the holiday break.

The Waihi Golf Club has also scored a major coup as it prepares to host a PGA tournament in February.

Over the summer green fee players have taken advantage of weather too windy to enjoy beach activities or fishing, but perfectly suited for enjoying a game or two of golf.

Golf carts have been in constant use, and the green keepers have been very busy ensuring the course is maintained to its usual high standard.

'Club members are unused to making a booking for a tee-time, usually being able to turn up unannounced, and go straight on to the course, but it is a different kettle of fish in holiday time,” says Waihi Golf committee member Nan Hoggard.

Nan says planning is well under way for two major tournaments to be held in February, with the traditional 54-Hole first on the agenda on February 8 and 9, with still some vacancies in the field.

'This is a well-established and popular tournament that has been held for many years, this year being sponsored by OJI Fibre Solutions, a leading producer of market pulp, paper and fibre-based packaging,” says Nan.

Nan is also part of the organising committee for the Expol Pro-Am teams 36-hole tournament. Following on a week after the 54-hole, the Expol Pro-Am will be held on February 15 and 16, and is a first for Waihi.

'The New Zealand Professional Golfers Association does not promote these tournaments lightly, therefore it is a major coup for the Waihi Golf Club,” says Nan. 'And the Waihi district is sure to benefit in many ways with the influx of golfing enthusiasts.”

One professional golfer will play with three amateurs in each team, and the emphasis is for all players to have fun, and enjoy the rare opportunity to play with, and pick up hints and tips from professionals during the tournament. 'Nationwide sponsors Expol, Cranium Signage, Clark Equipment, Gas NZ and Golf Warehouse enable us to have a wonderful prize table, and Grant Fox being interviewed by Brendan Telfer at the Saturday night dinner is an added bonus,” says Nan.

'The only condition to enter the tournament is a current official golf handicap.”

Spectators are welcome to visit the course and see these players in action.