The 2023 Golf New Zealand Men's & Women's Mid Amateur is off, with two teams from New Caledonia - Vive Le France! Four players from the Dumbea club have entered including the current club champion, Jean-Max Ho and four from the nearby Deva club.
The field teed off on the Bay of Plenty's Omanu course at midday - a slightly smaller field than normal but with some talented and accomplished players vying for the two trophies on offer.
Along with the eight French players from New Caldedonia, Matthew Cormack (Remuera), an Auckland representative player is a formidable competitor along with past New Zealand representative Richard Wright. Players compete over 3 rounds, today through to Sunday 54 holes competing for the Neil Woodbury Trophy.
Neil, one of Golf New Zealand's life members is a huge supporter of the mid am concept, which is open to players aged 30 and over. Neil's son-in-law Paul Teamoke in the field, also a member of Remuera.
The women's field, competing for the Women's Trust Shield have no-less than 17 current and past district representatives including past winners Jenny Ritchie (2009), Shelley McElroy (2017), and Rachel Eder, the defending champion. The 2021 champion, Hitomi Nishio is also in the field.
