Professional Career Highlights
As a professional golfer I have experienced many of the ups and downs common to most professional golfers.
I have been lucky enough to win a number of tournaments in four different countries. These victories are a reflection of my career in general as I have played in so many corners of the world.
When I started my professional career I played all throughout Asia. I then spent a year playing in the US before heading to the European Tour in the late nineties. Traveling from Prague to Paris, or Dublin to Barcelona the European tour exposes you to a variety of cultures, languages and cuisines.
Since we passed into the new millennium I have based myself in the USA. I’ve played both the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour. Like my experience in Europe, playing golf in America has afforded me the opportunity to meet some amazing people and see some amazing sights. Whether marveling at Niagara Falls or being speechless standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon I can truly say life as a professional golfer has treated me well.
PROFESSIONAL VICTORIES
- 1992 Southwest Open, Australia
- 1993 New Caledonian Open
- 1996 New Zealand Open
- 1999 Greg Norman Holden Classic, Australia
- 2001 Boise Open, USA
- 2003 Virginia Beach Open, USA
Representative Teams
- 1997 New Zealand World Cup Team, Kiawah Island USA
- 1997, 1998, 1999 New Zealand Dunhill Cup Team, St Andrews Scotland
Awards
- 1997 Jack Newton Most Consistent Player Award, Australasian Tour
- 1999 International Fair Play Award presented by HRH Prince Andrew
- 1999 Caltex Sportsmanship Award, New Zealand
Amateur Career Highlights
As a twelve year old I joined my first golf club – Waitangi Golf Club. During my time there I represented Northland in junior and senior tournaments all over New Zealand. I also represented New Zealand at junior level.
When I was 17 I headed to Hawks Bay to receive further coaching and it was while I was here that I represented New Zealand for the first time at the senior level. Later that year I won my first NZGA title at the under 18’s in Timaru, at the Levels Golf Course.
At the University of Waikato I represented the region on numerous occasions. We had one of the strongest teams in the country and many of our players joined the professional ranks. David Smail, Steve Alker, Phil Tataurangi, to name a few.
While at university I continued to win national amateur titles, including the NZGA under 21 title at Paraparumu Golf Club (my favourite course in New Zealand) and represent New Zealand at the senior level.
In 1990 I represented New Zealand in the world’s biggest amateur golf event – the Eisenhower Trophy. New Zealand came second that year and I finished third in the individual rankings. Earlier that year I won the New Zealand Amateur in Nelson, which gave me a complete set of NZGA amateur titles.
In 1996 I won the New Zealand Open at Paraparumu Golf Club as a professional. This victory gave me the distinction of being the only player in history to win every NZGA title.
Amateur Victories
- 1985 Under 18
- 1988 Under 21
- 1989 Under 23
- 1990 New Zealand Amateur
