Some of New Zealand's top golfers are set to tee-off at next week's Carrus Tauranga Open at Tauranga Golf Club.

Bay of Plenty Golf chief executive Chris McAlpine told SunLive the Tauranga Open gets underway on September 17. The Open is the first of six, which make up the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.

Photo: File.

Chris says some of New Zealand's best golfers take part in the tour.

'We've just got confirmation that five of the past winners will be back this year,” says Chris. 'That's Mark Brown, Josh Geary, Mark Purser, Ben Campbell and Jim Cusdin.”

He says it is fitting that the tournament is the first event of this tour as, 10 years ago, the Carrus Corporation came on board to support the re-birth of 72 hole professional golf tournaments in the Bay when Greg Turner led the New Zealand event.

New Zealand Golf came on board with the launch of the Charles Tour in 2008.

Josh Geary won the initial event in 2006 whilst still an amateur, with Hamilton professional Mark Purser winning in 2007.

Josh returned to win as a pro in 2008 – a feat he repeated in 2013.

The year 2009 heralded the arrival of Mike Hendry as a professional and his victory was the launch pad for him to go on to ply his trade on the Asian tour.

Ben Campbell was the outstanding amateur of 2010, and at the time was only the second amateur to win the Carrus trophy. Ben went on to turn professional, but has been plagued by injury which has prevented him reaching his true potential.

'It's great to have Ben back this year as he looks to relaunch his career,” Chris says.

Waikato professional Jim Cusdin was a surprise winner in 2011, and after his success has looked at competing mainly in Queensland.

Mark Brown won the first of his two titles in 2102, and spectators who marvelled at his third round of 59 last year will hope to see more of his superb stroke-play next week on his return from the Russian Open.

Chris says this year's open has a particularly strong women's field with Bay of Plenty's No. 1 women's golfer Alanna Campell and Chantelle Cassidy confirming their attendance.

The field is looking strong, with 50 professionals, 60 amateur men and 24 amateur ladies teeing off next Thursday and Friday before a cut to 60 plus ties reduces the weekend field.

There is a morning and afternoon field for the first two rounds with play commencing at 7.15am, then from 9.30am for the final two rounds.

Open Dates:

The Carrus Open, Tauranga Golf Club, September 17

The Taranaki Open, Augusta Funds Management New Plymouth Golf Club, October 1

John Jones Steel Open, Harewood Golf Club, October 22

Lawnmaster Classic, Manawatu Golf Club, March 17

Barfoot and Thompson Akarana Open, Akarana Golf Club, April 14

Autex Muriwai Men's Open, Muriwai Golf Club, April 28