KEY POINTS:
Are you a high school or university student with golfing ambitions who would like to live and play in Christchurch and be mentored by Sir Bob Charles?
Lincoln University and Canterbury Golf, in a first for this country, are offering a golf scholarship.
Charles, a resident at Clearwater Resort, has been supporting educational opportunities for players for more than a decade.
"I don't like seeing kids turn pro without an education or some qualification behind them. Only one in 100 who try to make a living out of playing golf actually make it," he told me.
New Zealand's greatest player was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Natural Resources by Lincoln University in recognition of his contribution to outdoor activity through golf and farming. Charles is continuing the association through this scholarship.
The recipient will have tuition fees paid at Lincoln, access to the university's sports academy, membership at Clearwater, assistance with travel and accommodation to selected tournaments and mentoring and regular playing with Charles.
The 1963 British Open champion, who's now 71, has contributed 1 per cent of his on-course earnings to New Zealand junior golf development since 1989. While that income stream has more or less dried up since his effective retirement from competitive play, he still plays numerous charity golf days where a percentage of the money raised goes towards his scholarship fund. Much of that fund will now be used for this new arrangement.
Clearwater and Canterbury Golf will also benefit, as the student will be expected to play interclub and interprovincial events.
Such recruiting is typical of how Canterbury sports administrators operate. As much of the Crusaders' success is based on finding top players in other parts of the country, so the search is now on to find a student who can play his part in the Canterbury golf environment. The association's boss Jay Davies was at the national under-19 championships in Katikati beginning the search.
The scheme's initiators are to be applauded.
The extraordinary riches now on offer in golf mean there are far too many young men who think they can make it as professionals and neglect education completely.
Charles' involvement is the best part. Short-listed candidates are flown to Christchurch for an interview and a round with the left-handed legend, before the final selection.
Charles will be on hand for advice and playing company for the duration of the scholarship.
