KEY POINTS:
In a career spanning nearly two decades, Michael Long's maturity has helped him to survive in the choppy seas of world golf.
However, he believes that if the game in New Zealand is to be saved from drowning in a new golden generation of young players has to
be unearthed.
The 39-year-old, Cromwell-born former New Zealand Open Champion is heading to Queenstown next week for this year's event.
He laments the bare cupboard of amateur talent, which he fears could leave New Zealand waiting to develop more home-grown champions.
"When I came through the amateur ranks in New Zealand there were about a dozen of us who really pushed each other," Long told the Herald On Sunday.
"The likes of Michael Campbell, Stephen Scahill, Steven Alker, Tony Christie, Phil Tataurangi all came through at the same time.
"I see the odd New Zealand player coming through these days but it would be nice to see a another big bunch of players coming through like what we had in what really were golden years.
"We were second in the Eisenhower Cup and won the trophy in 1992 - I wasn't a part of that team - but it seems there isn't quite the depth that there was then. It's only a small country but we have to hope that things will change.
Long also advocates a seachange in coaching and fitness methods because he fears they are ruining the development of young players.
Australian golfer Jason Day, 20, and 23-year-old US Amateur Champion Nick Flanagan are two examples he cites of young players who have fallen victim to being over-coached.
It's a trend he wants to see an end to.
"Young guys coming through are stronger than in the past but too many of them break down with injuries because their bodies can't handle the pressure," Long said.
"Day and Flanagan have done too much, too young. I also think there is excessive video analysing and over-coaching. Players are encouraged to maintain their bodies at peak fitness but they can't do it over a long period so it has put them under too much stress.
"There's a lot to be said for young players doing general fitness work instead of sport specific exercises. I wanted to be a professional when I was 15 but ignored it until I was 22 which meant that I didn't pound golf balls for endless hours in my teens. I played other sports which helped me to develop my body until I was ready for golf."
Western Australia-based Long plans to retire from the professional circuit in five years.
"I attribute my longevity to my love of the game. I'm not sure if I want to coach but mentoring young guys does appeal to me." English golfer Simon Khan has withdrawn from next week's New Zealand Open for family reasons.
Khan, 35, who claimed the 2004 Wales Open has been forced home because his mother is unwell.
