Six golfers named for district academy squads
Five of Takaka’s six Golf Academy squad members, from left: Luken Chamberlain, Alex Fersterer-Gawith, Mitchell Hone-Dixon, Saxon Balck, Leon Schrader; absent Merlin Fredrick. Photo: Neil Wilson.
The Takaka Golf Club is justifiably proud of its latest crop of “young guns”, six of whom have been selected for Tasman District Academy Squads.
Saxon Balck, Luken Chamberlain, Alex Fersterer-Gawith, Merlin Fredrick and Mitchell Hone-Dixon are members of the 12-person development squad, and Leon Schrader is a member of the seven-person Elite Squad.
The squads are the means by which the provincial golf association keeps an eye on developing talent. They provide regular coaching and ongoing assistance with all aspects of a player’s game and oversight of their progress.
Alex and Saxon were selected by master coach Glyn Delany for the development squad after a trial at the Nelson Golf Club.
“We went out to the practice area with a 6 or 7 iron,” said Saxon. “Then we hit some shots while Glyn watched and he talked to us about our best score and our handicap.”
Mitchell, Luken and Merlin were not required to try out because they were in the squad last year and had impressed Glyn sufficiently to retain their places.
Leon is on a 5 handicap, among the lowest of the members of the Takaka club. He explained the expectations that come with membership of the squads.
“You have to attend all the squad days in Nelson and you have to learn how to practise properly. There are tournaments that you’re expected to play in as well. Golf etiquette is an important part of it too – you have to be able to control yourself when things aren’t going well and not spoil it for the people you’re playing with.”
The players were quick to acknowledge the importance of the Riordan brothers, Sean and Blair, as role models. The Takaka brothers have risen to senior representative status – Sean has played for New Zealand and Blair is in the provincial team. The fact that players from a small club like Takaka can progress right to the top is a great encouragement to the players who follow them.
“Last year and the year before, Blair was coaching here in Takaka on Thursdays when I was just starting to play golf,” said Alex. “He was great.”
All the players say that they have further ambitions in the game of golf, not necessarily as a profession but as a lifelong pastime.
“Playing golf is about having fun and meeting new people,” said Luken.
Being relatively remote from the centre of the province has not prevented the players from coming to the attention of the selectors. Part of their success, they say, is due to “loyal parents” who transport them all over the district and support them in other ways as well.
Glyn Delany, selector/coach of the academy squads, said he was impressed with the number of Takaka players who made it into the squads.
“It’s phenomenal for a club like Takaka club that doesn’t have big golfing resources,” he said. “The Riordan boys have shown this next group that big things can happen from little places. With commitment to the right kinds of disciplines, these young players can go a long way in the game.”
Neil Wilson
