Off the tee: Maori in line for backing

Maori golfers have led the way for New Zealand in recent years, with Michael Campbell and Philip Tataurangi excelling in the professional ranks after distinguished amateur careers.

And thanks to the efforts of such people as Aucklander Vic Pirihi, a regular stream of young prospects have continued to receive encouragement. At least 15 per cent of those competing in the national provincial championships at Coringa last week were Maori.

Now Bill Donnelly, a stalwart of Poverty Bay golf who is now a New Zealand councillor, is working to provide further recognition through the national body.

One of the first to benefit will be Baden Waiwai, the giant Wairoa golfer, who is the current Maori champion. He will be given a guaranteed place in the final qualifying for the New Zealand Open.

Waiwai, who is close to 2m tall and built like an All Black lock, played No 1 for Poverty Bay last week, winning twice and including New Zealand representative Mark Smith among his victims.

Donnelly also has plans for a Maori team, chosen from players not in the Titleist Academy. Their first-up assignment would probably be a match against players on the fringe of national selection. Longer-term plans include an Australian trip.

The Donnelly family have loomed large in the small world of Poverty Bay golf. Bill's son, Waka, was a member of the Gisborne Boys' High team, who played in the world championships and went on to represent New Zealand before serving in the Navy.

Waka's nephew, Steve, is a member of the Poverty Bay team and is headed for a career in the Air Force.

* * *

One player in the Canterbury champion of champions tournament is hardly match-hardened.

Dave Anngow, a long-serving Hagley member, qualified in last place for the club's senior championship.

He won his first two rounds by default and fronted up for the final only for his opponent to be disqualified for not paying his sub. Anngow was declared champion without playing a match.

* * *

NZ Golf's strategic plan for the next five years was announced by the president, Fred Henderson, in Christchurch last week.

Among the more interesting objectives are:

* The percentage of junior golfers increasing from 10 per cent of total membership to 20 per cent.

* NZ professional golfers winning one of the majors every 10 years and at least one event on their chosen tour each year.

* Five NZ golfers ranked in the top 100 in the Sony rankings each year.

* NZ amateur golf ranked consistently in the top five nations.

* * *

Top New Zealand amateurs are likely to compete more across the Tasman in coming seasons as the selectors seek tough courses and strong competition.

To increase the depth of the selection pool, bigger teams are likely to be sent to some of the traditional Australian tournaments, with the budget being balanced by cutting back on some Asian travel.

* * *

Thirty-six of the world's top junior golfers, including six from NZ, will compete in a major tournament in Fiji next month.

The young Kiwi golfers will be up against teams from Australia, Canada, the US, Japan and Fiji.

They will be taking part in the Aaron Baddeley World Junior Championship to be held at the Denarau course near Nadi from December 9 to 11.

The players selected by NZ Golf and Women's Golf NZ are: Thomas Campbell, 17, Otago Boys' High; Aaron Leech, 15, Tawa College, Wellington; James Hamilton, 14, Tauranga Boys' College; Kris Smith 15, Palmerston North Boys' High; Natasha Krishna, 15, Epsom Girls Grammar; Stephanie Slavich, 16, Hillcrest High, Hamilton.

* * *

Elliot Boult was the leading New Zealander on the Australasian PGA's secondary Von Nida Tour moneylist this year.

Boult ended the 2003 season 21st on the tour's moneylist, with income of A$11,854 ($13,490), well behind the leading earner, Australian Scott Hend, who made A$52,000.

The next-best New Zealand players on the moneylist were Tim Wilkinson A$8808 (finished 32nd), Martin Pettigrew A$5355 (46th) and Alastair Sidford A$4377 (64th).