Golf: Co-leader wary of chasers

Like any professional, Dominic Barson knows a golf tournament isn't a done deal until you've made it to the "19th hole" on the final day to sip some of that frothy stuff.

"It [day one] doesn't mean anything. It is a good position to be in and a chance to win but those guys behind us on 71, 72 can shoot five under tomorrow," said Barson last night after carding a two-under-par 70 with Brad Shilton on day one to set the pace at the Toshiba Hastings Pro-Am.

Both Barson, of New Plymouth, and Auckland-based Shilton, of Waikato, tamed the Hastings Golf Club course at Bridge Pa with four birdies each although the former had two bogeys (2nd and 8th holes) and the latter just one on No11 in the 36-hole tourney.

Asked what went right for him yesterday, a grinning Barson replied: "I didn't get into trouble."

The 40-year-old's only grimacing moments came from a three-putter and beaching out in a bunker for the one-over-par holes.

Heading to the clubrooms on the first day on the lead is something Barson has been familiar with in his career but with so many young guns nipping at his heels these days he always expects the unexpected.

"So much can happen and so much is out of your control."

Reaching for a worn-out cliche, as he would for his trusty irons and drivers, Barson said it primarily came down to controlling the controllables rather than threading the beads of worry on what his rivals could inflict on him.

He wasn't fazed with the prospect of rain forecast today "because I'm from Taranaki and I'm used to the shitty weather".

After 24 years on the professional circuit, Barson found comfort in the suggestion that he was "still living his dream".

No doubt he loves golf "with a passion" and wouldn't be doing it if he didn't. In fact, the sport fuelled his desire more than when he turned pro at 16.

He likes to think he's 50/50 professional player and golf representative for Links Marketing.

The 1997 Tahiti Open champion, who only plied his trade on the Aussie Tour circuit in 1994-95, was fourth on the New Zealand Order of Merit last year, relishing playing alongside the likes of Ryan Fox and Michael Hendry.

Asked if he had any regrets not going further, Barson said if he was more adroit at taming the fairways he would have made a lot more money.

"I still have to work and have bills to pay," he said, stressing all professionals' bank balances tended to look anaemic.

He and his partner have three children. He plays golf and trains for six months of the year and puts two months into his work.

The rest of time is set aside for some quality time with the children during the school holidays, mindful some time away from the golf bag keeps him fresh.

In hindsight, Barson would have stayed out longer on the golf course to become a better professional.

"Knowing what I know now, it takes 10 to 15 years to learn my craft so I would have been better off staying out there longer than just five years."

It isn't lost on him that staying out longer can cost a golfer up to $50,000 on a smaller tour so, consequently, the pressure of finding a job to keep things ticking over was imperative.