Golf: Rotorua's teenage sensation heading to Las Vegas

Teenage New Zealand golfer Sam Hunt is doing what millions before him have done.

He's heading for the bright lights and action of Las Vegas.

But it isn't a quick buck from Lady Luck that the Rotorua 18-year-old is after - it's an education in the classroom and on the golf courses of the American desert area.

"It's going to be real interesting," Hunt said after completing the paperwork for his move this week.

Hunt leaves in August for his first semester as a "freshman" at the University of Nevada.

He'll be back in New Zealand by mid-December and Hunt said the period would be ideal to settle into school and its 12-man golfing team, which will play 12 tournaments on the American College circuit in a year.

The decision to head overseas on a full scholarship, worth about $100,000 over four years, didn't come easy for Hunt who has a fine academic record and was spoiled for choice.

Since leaving Rotorua Boys' High School last year he's been weighing his options of full-time golf or combining his passion with education.

"This gives me something to fall back on. I don't want to turn professional because I have to but because I want to," he said.

A week in February with long-time friend and fellow New Zealand golfer Bradley Iles in Wellington helped Hunt make up his mind.

"I spent the week ... practicing at Manor Park nine hours a day. By the end of it I was cabbage -- I was growing dimples on my head," Hunt said.

Hunt has been courted by several American universities looking to bolster their golf teams with the winner of back-to-back world secondary school individual and team titles.

"It's been a long and hard choice," Hunt said.

His decision was made as he left on a short golfing excursion to the United Kingdom last month to play top amateur events there.

Hunt stopped over in Las Vegas to pick up some new clubs from manufacturer Titleist and made a reconnaissance visit to the Nevada university.

In the end, it came down to facilities and the interest shown in the New Zealand senior representative.

Hunt said the practice facilities were first rate. A bonus was the teams' fitness trainer, Keith Kleven, who trains world number one Tiger Woods and his neighbour Mark O'Meara.

The golf courses also impressed Hunt. "They're in the same condition as Kauri Cliffs all the time."

It was through Rotorua Boys' High School's association with Kauri Cliffs that Hunt met American owner Julian Robinson who actively helped him find a university offshore.

Hunt will still be available to represent New Zealand internationally and will continue filing his statistics and swing video to national coach Mal Tongue.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)