A HOLIDAY over in Thailand for the last three weeks has meant John Hutchison hasn’t picked up a golf club for a while.
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Hutchison will line up alongside son Sam in a capacity field of 192 players when the 49th Seaside Classic tees off on Saturday.
The younger Hutchison is only just out of juniors and has played the last three Classics.
“I’m hitting them alright at the moment and have been playing some good and bad golf every now and then as well,” he said.
While Hutchison senior is far from the oldest player in the field he has a vast range of knowledge about the local course.
He competed in his first Classic back in 1993 and has played every one since.
There will no doubt be a healthy rivalry between the two especially after they tied with each other at last year’s event.
“Sam played pretty well last year and made the seeded group on the last day so that was a pretty big step for him, but he didn’t quite get me,” Hutchison senior said.
“Maybe he will this year.”
The Hutchison’s will join players Jackson Jubelin, Blake Poulter, Lachlan Richards and Oliver Payne who will be amongst a selection of locals flying the flag.
“There could be any one of six or eight guys who do quite well,” Hutchison senior said.
Any one of six or eight guys could do quite well.
- John Hutchison
The locals will have the added advantage of home course knowledge.
“Local knowledge is a big thing here; it’s one of the better courses up and down the coast so it’s a pleasure to play,” Hutchison said.
“Everyone who comes here mentions how much of a pleasure it is to play.”
Groundsman Steve Brennan has the course in pristine condition and golfers will be challenged by some of the courses quirks.
“The layout is challenging; it’s not long but it’s tricky,” Hutchison said.
“Local knowledge plays a big part on the greens especially because they get firm and quick. It’s the best week of the year for us.”
The event brings the best golfers from NSW and Queensland together.
“If we can both get in the seeded group together on the Sunday that’d be nice.”
Tim Hyland’s attempt to become the first player to win the Seaside Classic three times will create a lot of interest.
A number of players have won the Classic twice, including locals Phil Pye, Brian Sams and Lucas Main, but only Hyland, Lester Petersen and Shannon Jones have won in consecutive years.
Pye is playing but Sams is not as he has recently undergone shoulder surgery. Main is a professional.
Joining them will be a strong crop of juniors with Jackson Jubelin the best local chance.
Oli Payne has just returned from the United States where he competed in the World Junior Championship.
A seeded draw will be used for the Sunday with the leading players hitting after 11.00 am.