The time is nearing for amateur golfers to rub shoulders in an Ōhope tournament with professionals who have performed at both national and international levels.

The inaugural nib Pro-Am tournament at Ōhope Beach Golf Links on September 23 will see acclaimed golfers such as Kazuma Kobori, Josh Geary, James Tauariki, Mason Lee and Luke Toomey take to the course, playing in teams with three amateurs.

The tournament is open to men and women, members and non-members alike, allowing amateurs the opportunity to putt and drive alongside 32 professionals, ask questions, hear stories and get a taste of what it is like to be a professional sportsman.

Kobori is considered to be one of the hottest names in New Zealand golf, having competed in the American PGA Championships in May.

He started his professional career six months before receiving the invitation.

Geary, originally of Invercargill, has made waves on the international stage with wins on the China Tour and PGA Tour Canada.

He was pipped at this year’s New Zealand Open for a tied third finish, after taking tied second place in 2019.

All eyes were on Geary during the competition as he was pegged as the country’s best bet to break the drought and put a Kiwi’s name on the Brodie Breeze Trophy for the first time since 2017.

Prior to that, the last time a New Zealander won the tournament was in 2003.

Lee has been named as a pro sharing his skills at both a Pro-Am in Coromandel next week, and Ōhope on September 23.

He finished second at the NZPGA Championship in March, a stroke behind surprise winner Pieter Zwart.

Lee impressed during the competition at Hastings Golf Club, with rounds of 65 and 66 putting him 13-under-par and leading by four strokes at one point.

Standout golfer Toomey has an impressive resume, including being a two-time New Zealand Strokeplay Champion and has represented Team New Zealand at the Eisenhower Trophy (World Teams Championship) and Team Asia-Pacific at the Bonallack Trophy (Asia-Pacific vs Europe).

Since turning professional in 2017, he has achieved remarkable success, including winning the China Tour Qualifying School, finishing second in the China Tour Order of Merit, and becoming a PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School Champion.

Toomey is also a 12-time NZPGA ProAm Series Champion, a three-time NZ Charles Tour Champion, and a two-time NZPGA Order of Merit Champion.

Young Bay of Plenty golfing star Tauariki, who gained recognition in 2018 when he shot what was widely thought to be the lowest numerical score recorded on a New Zealand golf course, will also be showcasing his skills on the Ōhope course.

Tauariki was just 16 years old when he achieved the remarkable 13 under par 57 at Springfield Golf Club.

He has kept busy on the course in the years since, including with a tied win at the Bayleys Waitematā Pro Am with Sungjin Yeo and scores of 64.

Tauariki recently signed on with I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday as a sports ambassador.

“I have been given a great opportunity to make a difference and a huge goal for me in this next adventure is to create a more open, carefree and overall, more happy place within the golf industry and also for our rangatahi around the country,” he shared on Instagram.

Ōhope's nib Pro-Am tournament takes a format of best two out of four stablefords per fairway, with the professional on each team keeping score.

All the professionals will play on zero handicaps, while the amateurs will be on their registered handicaps.

Ōhope Beach Golf Links president Lidi Schiefelbusch said the tournament was an opportunity for players to get tips from the professionals, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, as well as a generous prize table, and form memories that would last them a lifetime.

“The players are names that are instantly recognisable, but what’s surreal is that you might watch a golf tournament on television in a couple of years and say, ‘I played in a four with him or her at Ōhope’.”

The tournament is expected to include game time of about five hours, followed by a question-and-answer session with the professionals over drinks, prizegiving and food-sharing platters, for a conclusion at about 5.30pm.

For further information about the event, visit ohopegolf.co.nz