A HEAVIER course will likely greet players at this weekend’s Leeton Pro-Am.
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Rain this week has slightly impacted preparations of the Leeton golf course, but the Pro-Am will go ahead.
“The only impact it will have is our ability to cut the course properly, but the course is looking really good at this point … it will affect our greens as we wanted them to be faster,” Leeton golf professional Jason Mimmo said.
Entries in both the professional and amateur divisions have been solid this year and there will be some big names to watch.
One of those is James Nitties, who has held a USA tour card in the past and competed overseas.
“He’s had a few wins overseas and in Australia in some of the bigger events,” Mimmo said.
“We’re actually quite surprised that he’ll be here.
“The drawcard is the fact they can play Griffith on Friday, then Leeton over the weekend, Yenda early next week and then off to Wagga.
“It’s good we have these high-calibre players here. Another good player we’ve got is Matt Millar. He’s from Canberra, had his European tour card and some really good finishes on the Australasian circuit. They will be the two to beat.”
Last year’s winner Martin Dive will be back this year to defend his title, which he jointly won with Daniel Bringolf in 2016.
Another former winner in Chris Gaunt will take part. Gaunt currently holds the lowest round score in Leeton of 62.
Mimmo said it was indicative of the course and players wanting to come back and compete each year in the Pro-Am.
The amateur division is also shaping up to be hotly-contest, with Mimmo having a tip of his own.
“We’ve got solid numbers, which is good,” he said.
“Total numbers (for both divisions) each day will be about 200.
“(Leeton’s) Josh Helson will definitely be the favourite in the amateur division.
“He’s having a bit of a purple patch at the moment.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll beat most of the pro’s as well.
“I reckon he'll beat most of them … half of them I would say.”
Spectators are welcome to watch the Pro-Am across Saturday and Sunday.
Mimmo was looking forward to the weekend and said the event continued to boost the town’s economy every year.
“A lot of the players are basing themselves here from pretty much now on (Wednesday),” he said.