SPORTS SCENE

CAIRNS’ Tanner Ward has not let two cruel anterior cruciate ligament tears spoil his enjoyment of playing the game he loves – golf.

Ward, previously based in Yeppoon, is considered one of the leading local hopes this week in the men’s side of the City of Cairns golf tournament.

The keen golfer was in his first year of a three-year traineeship to become a professional golfer in 2015 before two ACL tears cut him down in his prime.

“I was just playing a bit of rugby league to keep my fitness up for golf and tore the ACL in my knee,” he said.

“I had two knee reconstructions over the last few years. It is pretty fragile, the knee.”

Since relocating to Cairns, Ward has played for the love and enjoyment of the game, instead of chasing a payday while out on the greens.

“It was a great atmosphere to be playing golf for money around that time before my knees,” Ward said.

“But I am still enjoying my golf these days. It is a bit less serious.

“You can go out there and enjoy yourself and not worry about shooting a score to make some money.”

The City of Cairns golf tournament is one of the biggest events in the Far North each year, with visitors from all over Australia expected.

The two main events for the week are the women’s 36-hole championship today and tomorrow and the men’s 54-hole championship from Friday through to Sunday.

Australian golfing legend Peter Senior, a winner of over 30 professional events worldwide, will be on course at the Cairns Golf Club to play on Friday.

Cairns Golf Club director of golf and PGA professional Jason Roach said the men’s event had 24 players playing off a handicap of two or better and nine of them were off zero or better, making a very strong field of more than 200 players.

Ward is looking forward to taking on the best from around the Far North.

“I have only been in Cairns for nine months or so. This will be my first time round in the City of Cairns,” Ward said.

“I am looking forward to it and everyone I have spoken to always says how big it is around the area.

“It would be a good tournament to have on your resume if you did win it.”

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE TOP TALENT: The City of Cairns Golf tournament will be held this week at the Cairns Golf Club, with professionals from across Australia competing. Local players Annabelle Hutchings and Tanner Ward will line up against some of the nation’s best. Ward has undergone two knee reconstructions in recent years.

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE CONTENDERS: Local players Tanner Ward and Annabelle Hutchings will line up against some of the nation’s best golfers in the City of Cairns tournament this week.