Golf: Heaven looks to home for form reversal

Brad Heaven

Brad Heaven, who almost won the New Zealand Open as an amateur last January, could use a bit of the same form when he returns to the Open in February at Gulf Harbour.

The 24-year-old Aucklander, back home after a hectic few months trying to qualify for either the United States PGA or the European professional tour, has had a rollercoaster ride since his stunning play at The Grange, where he was pipped in the final couple of holes by Aussie professional Terry Price.

He graduated in June from the University of Toledo in Ohio with a degree in business administration, completing a collegiate golf career, which saw him ranked among the best in the US.

"I turned professional and moved to Sea Island, Georgia, to get away from the Toledo winter," Heaven said yesterday. "I was taken on by Octagon Management, which is based there, and their top player, Davis Love, lives there.

"It's a fabulous facility with three world-class golf courses, and being just north of Florida the weather is great," said Heaven.

He made his professional debut in a Challenge Tour event in Germany and later played in three US PGA tournaments, but failed to make the cut.

"I got a sponsor's invitation to the John Deere Classic, I Monday-qualified for the BC Open, and I got into the Buick Open on another invite," he said.

"I wasn't quite on my game but the experience was amazing. You start to realise just how good these guys are who keep their cards every year.

"I had the chance to have a practice round with Phil Tataurangi and I also had a long chat with Grant Waite and that was really valuable."

Heaven doesn't use it as an excuse for his moderate form, but he had changed to TaylorMade after playing with Cleveland equipment all through his college career.

His pursuit of playing privileges in the US and Europe involved several trips across the Atlantic. He made it through the first stage of qualifying for Europe in England but faltered at the second stage in Spain and suffered the same fate in the United States.

"It was difficult to juggle it all," he said, "but I wanted to keep my options open and the more Q [qualification] schools I was in the more experience I got.

"Travelling is one thing you have to get used to and I don't regret having tried for both tours. We live and learn. Whether I'd do it again I'm not sure."

Heaven is keen to play in the United States and he has a five-year visa, which allows him to come and go and compete there. He hopes that good results in Australia and New Zealand will help his cause.

"I've got starts in the New Zealand Open and the New Zealand PGA and I've got my fingers crossed that I can get into the Heineken Open and the Jacob's Creek Open in Australia.

"A good result can open all sorts of doors. You show up and bring your best game and things happen for you."

A decent win might alleviate one of his problems. At 1.9m (6ft 3in) he finds economy air travel is a pain.

Noting the success of another tall Kiwi, David Smail, he quips: "I bet Smail can afford an upgrade."