His English wasn't too sharp but it didn't matter because the then shy schoolboy, Supravee Phatam, didn't say much, according to Hastings PGA professional Brian Doyle.
But the former Napier Boys' High School pupil from Thailand blossomed into a "a little character", recalls Doyle who last Saturday night received a phone call from Phatam in Taupo "asking in a small voice" if he could book a lesson.
The 27-year-old, a former Bay amateur representative while still at NBHS, ended up at the Hill Country Estate course with Doyle last Sunday to hone his professional skills.
"We made a few minor adjustments to set up a position to enhance his swing so he has remembered well from all those years of coaching," says Doyle who used to take him to the same course in his school days.
The coach says ability aside, the then youngster became "very likeable" and picked up the nickname of "Super" from older fellow Bay senior men's reps.
