Golf: Dogged pursuit leads to US Open

Doug Batty looks forward to playing in Tiger country. Photo / Getty Images

Everyone loves a rags to riches story ... and along came Doug Batty.

It was a classic case of Doug Who? after news broke that this Northland son had qualified for the US Golf Open.

It was the second pleasant Open surprise.

When David Smail qualified out of Japan, the forgotten star of New Zealand sport made the headlines again. But Batty isn't well known enough to be forgotten.

It was as if a weekend golfer had gate crashed the big time. What did you say that guy's name was? Doug Who?

The Open is notorious for its rough, which is where the 29-year-old Batty plays anyway on North America's low-rent, high-dream tours.

No hapless hacker is going to make the US Open however. Batty has form.

But he's happy to play to the crowd as the self-effacing underdog.

He cheerfully lists a career highlight as playing behind Bob Charles and Michael Campbell at a Middlemore New Zealand Open.

Stunned in this reflected glory, Batty was lost for a visible response when the crowd cheered his best shot, and claims he feared hitting a spectator because he wasn't used to galleries standing so close, or a gallery at all.

Batty's is a wonderful story and he is a great guy to interview. He sees a humour in his golfing glory quest yet his dogged pursuit of the PGA dream shines through.

He got a taste of fame this week, fielding endless media calls.

"I've never been a star ... I wouldn't blame anyone who has never heard of me," says Batty.

Which exonerates almost all of us.

Batty qualified through a four-way playoff for three US Open spots available at a tournament in California.

"Overall, 10,000 tried to qualify and there are only 75 spots. I stood on the first tee and believed I could do it," he says.

"I'll need to get comfortable quickly at the Open and I plan to do well. It's going to be an awesome experience."

He joins Smail and Michael Campbell at New York's Bethpage, a famously tough course that lies in wait for Batty's straight but not overly long hitting.

Batty learnt golf at Kamo's Northland club on the northern outskirts of Whangarei where an Aussie pro, the late Doug Berry, was his mentor.

Batty, an age grade soccer and cricket representative, started golf in his early teens and was quickly hooked, and played a right-to-left hook.

"It's rare because 95 per cent of guys slice. People who naturally hook are closer to the correct technique," he says.

The Kamo High and later Auckland Grammar golf star was a strong amateur and in the national academy.

His CV reveals he won 17 local and provincial tournaments in the late 1990s, led the Northland side and won this year's Omaha Pro-Am.

However, holding the Kaikohe course record hardly puts him in Tiger country, which is where Batty prowls next week.

This is the big step up. Batty has spent seven years in North America, initially going on a scholarship and completing a business degree at the Universities of California and Toledo plus playing on their golf teams.

He has played the lower level pro circuits for three years while dreaming of nabbing a PGA tour card at qualifying school.

His finances were helped for a while by gaining a personal sponsor, a common contract deal whereby an altruistic backer shares any prize money.

But it is an uneven life that has included odd jobs, some odder than others.

A friend once scored him a Playboy mansion party gig, waiting on stars while he waited for his big golf break.

For now, Batty plays tournaments where a $1000 entry fee often goes up in smoke.

First prize might be $20,000 although Batty's best payday is $3000.

"It's like legalised gambling," he says.

As for a low point - he was writing about the eternal 36-hole cut in a golfer's life for a New Zealand magazine last year and became mesmerised by the subject.

He missed five consecutive cuts, and then shot in the mid-60s to lie second ... followed by a second round 78 to miss out yet again. This really hurt because he failed to retain his Canadian tour card by a mere $15.

"People ask when I'll give it away. I'm lucky. I'm still single and stupid with no responsibilities," he says.

"Playing mini tours is essential to learn your craft but none of us want to be here.

"I've got better and enjoyed every moment but lots of very talented players give it away because they go broke. I still enjoy seeing how far I can go."

Batty's brother Rob Gaastra, a warrant officer at the Devonport naval base, will be his caddy at Bethpage.

They have an excellent golf record. Gaastra carried Batty's bag twice, when he won the $22,000 Omaha pro-am and made a New Zealand Open cut. Gaastra arrives in the States on Sunday night.

"I don't give a lot of advice but I help him know his own mind so there isn't indecision," said the 34-year-old Gaastra.

"I'm nervous because there are stories of caddies who made mistakes which cost shots or got players disqualified.

"I'll have to concentrate on standing in the right places ... the hardest part is that I know metres and everything over there is in yards."

Gaastra's father died when he was 2. He was brought up a Batty but after consulting parents Judith and Mike, reclaimed his birth name later in life.

Gaastra is a five handicapper and president of the Naval Golf Society.

He beat Batty once off the stick during one of their many duels.

"It will be important having someone he can trust. There will be pressure but I'll tell him to pretend we are having one of our matches," said Gaastra.

The boys' parents have just bought a Tauranga motel, but were making efforts to fly to the tournament.

"I told them, 'Find a way - put it on some plastic'," said Gaastra.

"If this is Doug's highlight they'll kick themselves for not being there."