When he took up the sport nearly 50 years ago, Whangārei golfer Neil Davidson probably never thought he’d one day be competing in an international tournament at one of the most famous courses in the world - Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland.
But Davidson, who plays off a 16-handicap at Sherwood Park Golf Club could end up playing at The R&A (Royal and Ancient) 9-Hole Challenge on the eve of the 152nd Open Championship being played at the Royal Troon Golf Club in July. The world final of the event will feature 42 nine-hole players from 22 countries, including two from New Zealand.
But first the eagle-eyed Whangārei golfer has to get past a number of other Kiwi golfers at the Make Time Play 9 final, being held in Queenstown, in March.
It was a casual nine-hole game of midweek golf with friends that earned Davidson a “once in a lifetime” shot at flying to Scotland to play in a world invitational golf tournament leading into the famed Open Championship. But it was sheer luck, rather than his golfing prowess, that saw him in the mix.
Davidson was randomly selected as a monthly winner in a promotion being run by Golf New Zealand. The highly popular Make Time Play 9 contest, runs throughout summer, and encourages golfers of all ages and skill levels across the country to participate in a shorter nine-hole format of the game.