Leggett looks to defend NGA title

Defending champion Jordie Leggett hits a few balls before the start of his first round of play on Friday. Photo by Chris Dawson.

North Bay's Jordie Leggett is looking to try and repeat as NGA Amateur champion, as his home course - the North Bay Golf & Country Club, hosts the prestigious Northern Ontario golf tournament this weekend in North Bay.

The three-day event involves a mixture of medal play and match play.

"There is extra pressure being defending champ on my home course for sure," said Leggett prior to his first round on Friday.

"It's a different format this year as the NGA committee and our club pro Jeff Mancini decided to change it to Match Play which in my opinion favours the better players so you are going to see, near the end, the top 4 players in the field coming down and it's exciting. It will bring people out for sure."

Leggett won the title last year at the event held at the Idlewylde Golf and Country Club. He was the first North Bay golfer to win the tournament since Paul Soni did way back in 1980.

North Bay Golf and Country Club professional Jeff Mancini believes that a North Bay golfer has a great chance at coming out on top in the 64-player field.

"You look at our North Bay favourites you look at Andrew Beattie, your defending champion Jordie Leggett - a chance to win it back to back, you have your guys like Rob Gribbons, Grant Fullerton, Greg Cantin that are always contending in club championships and in Men's Invitationals," said Mancini.

Weather permitting, Mancini believes the final groups will arrive at the 18th green around 5:30 on Sunday afternoon to finish off the event.