KEY POINTS:
A few eyebrows might have been raised when the latest Auckland provincial team was selected. Number one against North Harbour at Akarana on June 17 is Van Wright who hasn't played a tournament for nearly five years. When he did, it was as a professional.
Wright grew up
in Samoa, was educated in Hawaii and played for money in the early years of this decade. After starting out promisingly enough with a couple of runner-up finishes in the Pacific in 2000, he struggled on the Australasian Tour and quit after three years. His most high-profile performance came at the New Zealand Open of 2002. After scores of 72 and 71, he was tied at the halfway mark with a fellow called Tiger Woods.
Although he faded and finished in a tie for 57th, Wright attracted the attention of fellow Samoan Henry Vaeoso. A burly personal trainer who's worked with top rugby players and Team New Zealand, Vaeoso is also a golfing tragic who introduced himself to Wright.
Fast forward four years and Wright has given up life as a professional because he can't make any money and has virtually stopped playing golf. By now he's living in Auckland and, despite an honours degree in economics from the University of Hawaii, he is an apprentice builder. He makes contact again with Vaeoso who takes him out for a few rounds.
It's a bit like riding a bike for the ex-professional and after a few social rounds where he scored comfortably in the high 60s, Vaeoso convinces Wright to join him at the Akarana club and play in the Bissett Shield premier interclub competition.
That's about where I come in, as Akarana Bissett Shield team selector this season. After I played nine holes with Wright in early February and it was obvious he could really improve our team. Reinstatement as an amateur was approved and we fast-tracked his membership application. Wright played his first serious competitive game of golf in more than four years on March 4, against Auckland provincial representative Fraser Wilkin at Whitford Park
It was almost a fairytale return. Wright shot even par, played the last three holes one under to come from two down and win on the final green. Since then he's played regularly at number one for Akarana as we finished runner-up in the Bissett Shield and second in the National Interclub Challenge.
The Auckland selectors, used to a passing parade of youngsters, are keen to see how the 29-year-old performs in provincial colours.
Wright says he has no plans to play for money again and wants to work in property. But he can see the chance to get involved in satisfying top-level amateur golf again. He's so serious that he's in the process of changing jobs so he can get a bit more practice time during the week.
A wise head with top level experience is always a valuable commodity in sports teams. Van Wright could become a significant part of Auckland golf teams for years.