Tee’d off golfer gets timely boost

Thursday 26 February

Tee’d off golfer gets timely boost

When Canterbury amateur golfer Tyrone Nelson had his clubs stolen four weeks before the NZ Open “it was like someone had cut off my arms” he says.

But now tournament co-sponsor Heineken together with Taylor Made has come to the rescue arranging a custom-fit new set for the up-and-coming Kaiapoi golfer.

Nelson’s previous set was stolen from his girlfriend’s car on February 6. He needs new clubs for the Michael Hill NZ Open qualifying which gets underway at the Christchurch Golf Club on March 9.

“It was pretty hard for my girlfriend when her car was burgled and of course I was gutted when I found the clubs were missing,” Nelson says. “I’d spent so much time and effort getting them perfect for me and then someone goes and nicks them.

“With my year mapped out for golf, I couldn’t do anything without my clubs. Now thanks to Heineken I will be able to get a custom-fit set of Taylor Made clubs in time for the open qualifying.

“I am absolutely thrilled because I think it’s important that local players get support to compete against top international golfers. It’s the standard by which everyone is measured.”

Heineken senior brand manager Luke Rive says: “Just as we renew our association with golf in New Zealand, it is great to be able to help out a local golfer who has struck some tough times.”

Nelson, who plays off a +1.5 handicap, has been up and down in 2007 / 2008. He qualified as fourth amateur for the Michael Hill NZ Open but missed the cut. He had also been a top 25 amateur in New Zealand until his mother passed away last year and he stopped playing.

Now he’s on the comeback trail.

After a 6th at the 2007 NZ Amateur, Nelson finished 9th at the North Island and 3rd at the South Island Amateurs in 2008.  2009 has started very well for Nelson winning three tournaments back to back.

Already this year he has had victories in the Westland Classic, the Russley Open (by five shots) and just last weekend the Canterbury Tour Championship (by four shots) also securing best scoring average for the year.

Nelson’s goal is make the NZ Open field by being in the top five at the qualifying tournament and then go on to make the cut from there.  “After missing the cut last year I just want to be in the field on Saturday and Sunday,” he says.

The Michael Hill NZ Open takes place at The Hills in Queenstown from March 12 to 15, 2009. Heineken is the official beer and co-sponsor of the tournament.
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