6 July 2015

Provisional support plays role for winning golfer

Kiwi Danny Lee’s first win on the USPGA Golf Tour today is testament to what can be achieved with strong grass roots provincial support, says Rotorua councillor Charles Sturt, who leads Rotorua Lakes Council’s sport and recreation portfolio.

Lee, who learnt his trade as a youngster at Rotorua’s Springfield Golf Club, won the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia today [6 July 2015], his maiden victory as a professional.

“This is fantastic for Danny and I’m sure everyone in Rotorua will be very proud of him. We can also be proud of the role that Rotorua has been able to play,” Cr Sturt said.

A supportive community and school, an encouraging environment and easy accessibility to the facilities Danny needed to attain his dream of becoming a professional golfer all helped Lee to get to where he was today, he said.

“Danny’s family moved to New Zealand to enable him to pursue his golfing aspirations and they specifically chose Rotorua as the best place to do that.

“The city, Springfield Golf Club and Rotorua Boys’ High School provided him with the opportunities he needed to hone his skills and become a professional.”

Rotorua’s geothermal facilities were an added bonus for the Lee family.

“Danny’s achievement today shows that you don’t have to live in the big centres to achieve your dreams – it’s possible from provincial centres like Rotorua. With the right support and facilities anything is possible,” Cr Sturt said.

Other current local athletes making their mark included All Black Sam Cane, netballer Samantha Sinclair, who is in the New Zealand A squad and Sam Osborne who has been named as a reserve for the New Zealand triathlon team, he said.

“It highlights the part that having really great grassroots support for our sportspeople can play in helping them to achieve their goals.

“Danny is still a big supporter of Rotorua and proud of his Rotorua – and New Zealand – links and has expressed his gratitude to Rotorua a number of times.”

While now based in the US, Lee has ongoing links with the Springfield Golf Club and continues sponsoring the annual tournament run in his name at his former home club.

“He’s come close a few times before taking the win today and we wish him all the best for continued success,” Cr Sturt said.

[ENDS]

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