In December 1904, James Hutchison from North Berwick took part in the first professional golf tournament in New Zealand. Played over the nine-hole course at New Plymouth situated on the west coast of North Island, during a Carnival and Exhibition week. The tournament was held on the Nigamotu links which is now Rugby Park and the field included Jim Hutchison (NSW), Alex McLaren, (Royal Melbourne GC) Gilbert Martin, (Wellington GC), and Fred Hood (Auckland GC). At the same tournament a professional foursome match was contested over 36 holes between Hutchison and Hood against Martin and McLaren with the latter pair dividing the £10 purse.

Fred Hood originally from Millhill, Musselburgh was professional at Malahide Golf Club near Dublin in 1898 before he emigrated to New Zealand. His brother Tom Hood, professional at Royal Dublin, joined him as his assistant at Auckland Golf Club in 1902. Fred's older brother David Hood sailed for New Zealand in 1906 and was employed by Jack McLaren as a clubmaker at Otago GC, Dunedin. Tom Hood returned to Ireland in 1904 and entered the Open Championship in June that year. In 1905, Hutchison played in the inaugural Australian Open Championship, with Jim Howden and Alex McLaren, both from North Berwick.

Left: Advert from the Taranki Herald - December 1904