It’s a sports nut’s dream.
Lining up on the greens during next month’s New Zealand Open golf tourney alongside a host of big-name pros will be ex-rugby stars Sean Fitzpatrick, Jeff Wilson and Israel Dagg, former Kiwi cricketers Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum — now England’s coach — and
former England captain Sir Ian Botham, all of whom are tournament ambassadors.
Rally driver Hayden Paddon’s also confirmed, as is NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, who played 17 seasons for the Arizona Cardinals, and is making
his second appearance at the Open.
Fitzgerald’s golfing exploits include scoring a hole-in-one while playing with former US President Barack Obama, and winning the PGA Tours
AT&T Pro-Am in California with pro golfer Kevin Streelman.
Rounding out the ambassadors is Ella Gunson, a 232-cap Black Stick, who’s been twice to the Olympics and won a silver and gold at the Commonwealth Games.
The Whangarei police constable plays off a 6.6 handicap and is known for her long-hitting game, which she’s excited to test during the pro-am.
‘‘I’m really looking for ward to the tournament, I have seen the event on TV and have always wanted to see what it’s like playing alongside a professional in a major event like this,’’ she says.
‘‘It’s away from the hockey turf so it’s a bit out of my comfort zone, so I imagine that first tee shot will be a bit nervy, but I’m really excited.’’
Fleming, a supporter of the event since its inception, reckons it’s ‘‘probably New Zealand’s best sporting event’’.
‘‘What other national sporting event lets amateur players, like me, play alongside professional sportsmen who are competing for a national title and a huge prize purse?’’
McCullum, in Queenstown this week with his England team enjoying some R&R before their Test series against the Black Caps, says he’s fizzing to get on the course at Millbrook.
‘‘We had a sneak peek at the new holes back in 2020 and it looked spectacular, and I have been waiting for a chance to play it ever since.’’
Tournament chair John Hart says people shouldn’t underestimate how hard it is for the sporting legends to ‘‘step out of their comfort zones and play [golf] live on TV’’, while their partner’s trying to win their share of the $1.7 million purse.
The 102nd NZ Open’s being played at Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort from March 2 to 5.
