Off the tee: Auckland youngster shows remarkable drive

Aucklander Davyn Nola's New Zealand record drive of 365.5m is an extreme example of how modern equipment has changed the nature of the game.

The burly Nola is a long-driving expert, fifth in the world finals a year ago and a master of the extra-long clubs, which make this a specialist art.

But just as remarkable is the 224.2m achieved by 12-year-old Seve Ha from the Akarana Club at the Auckland qualifying for the national long-driving championship.

Ha, who would beat Nola in a round of golf, looks younger than his age and is barely 1.52m tall. Yet his best drive was better than the 223.1m average in 1980 of Mike Reid, who that year was a top-10 money-winner on the US PGA Tour.

Fred Couples was hitting his drives around 251m 10 years ago. Last season he averaged 267m. Hank Kuehne, who displaced John Daly as the biggest hitter on the tour in 2003, averaged 282m with a best of 293m.

Professional tour-driving statistics are compiled in tournament conditions. Long-driving contests are a different branch of the sport.

Nola is guaranteed a place in this year's world championships in Nevada in November, when $750,000 will be on offer. A chance to join Nola will be at stake in the national finals in Auckland on April 25.

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Lynnette Brooky, New Zealand's leading professional on the European women's tour, has an important fixture before heading back to Europe.

The Wellington golfer will marry Richard Withell in Martinborough tomorrow.

Last season Brooky, twice national amateur champion, won the French Open title for the second year in a row.

Inspired by her success, one of her brothers, Richard, who plays at the Muriwai Club on Auckland's west coast, is considering an attempt to qualify for a senior professional tour. He has three years - and a lot of golf - before he is eligible to try.

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After being blown away by the Christchurch winds at the NZPGA tournament at Clearwater this month, the American Nationwide tour players resume their season in the balmier climate of Louisiana today.

This was the tournament that New Zealander Steve Alker won in a playoff in 2002.

Neither Alker nor Michael Long had much luck at Clearwater. Long missed the cut and Alker was one of the victims of the wind on the final day.