Golf: Classic attracts a real mixed bag

By BOB PEARCE in Christchurch

From college whiz kids to cancer survivors and players trying to recapture their former glory, the Clearwater Classic has brought a whole new range of golfing talent to New Zealand.

The $1.2 million tournament in Christchurch is jointly sanctioned by the Australasian PGA and US Buy. Com Tours, with 73 players from each tour.

Whereas the New Zealand Open has traditionally attracted Australian and New Zealand players - and few new faces, even with Tiger Woods in the ranks - Clearwater has dozens of unfamiliar names and some intriguing new characters among those who compete in the second-ranked US tour.

Take Trevor Dodds. The 42-year-old, born in Windhoek, Namibia, won a battle with testicular cancer in 1997 and the following year was nominated for comeback player of the year on the PGA Tour. He won the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic and had three other top-10 finishes.

He represented Namibia in the 1997 World Cup, but has struggled to regain exempt status on the PGA tour after first qualifying in 1986.

Another to successfully battle testicular cancer during his career is 33-year-old Todd Barranger, who was diagnosed in 1995. He underwent surgery and resumed his career the following year with victory in the Thailand Open.

Florida pro Darron Stiles had his cancer problems as a teenager. When he was 16 he had a tumour removed from his jaw, and bone from his hip transplanted to repair the damage.

Twice a winner on the Buy. Com tour, one of his most satisfying victories was four years ago in the Ronald McDonald House Classic on the Hooters Tour.

Casey Martin's battle with the US PGA to win the right to use a cart is well documented. His right leg is affected by Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and he has to wear a strong support stocking to keep the swelling down.

He was a team-mate of Tiger Woods at Stanford, progressed through the secondary tour to the main PGA tour, but lost his card a couple of years ago. He recently had surgery on his leg, but is struggling to regain form.

The whiz kids are led by 23-year-old Bryce Molder, who eclipsed Woods' records during his college years and has already had a third placing in a PGA tour event. He is being hailed as the next big star of American golf and he confirmed his reputation by finishing second at the Jacob's Creek Open at Kooyonga last week.

Among those seeking to recapture past form are several former regulars on the US PGA tour.

Keith Clearwater had two victories in his rookie year, but that was 15 years ago. Now 42, he has had starts on both tours for the past couple of seasons without recapturing his best form.

Others at Clearwater who have extensive experience on the main tour include Marco Dawson, Jay Delsing and Scott Gump, who only three years ago was earning more than NZ$1 million in a US PGA season.

And each year, the 300 or so golfers who play at least some Buy. Com golf change as new stars emerge or others drop from the elite level through loss of form or injury.

On the fringe are the stream of hopefuls who play Monday qualifying with a hope of getting a start.

Young Auckland professional Marcus Wheelhouse, once a national amateur strokeplay champion, managed a couple of starts last season and this year plans to buy a car, team up with some Australians and follow the Monday trail.

Christchurch, which is enjoying its first professional tournament of this stature for 17 years, should have the Clearwater Classic for the next two or three years if major sponsor Holden and the public keep faith.