Professional golfer John Clifford demonstrates the
technique to get out of the sand trap to young golfers at a
coaching clinic at the Otago Golf Cub at Balmacewen
yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
The good and the bad were experienced by Australian
professional golfer Rodger Davis during his long career.
Davis (58), who tees off in the inaugural $30,000 City of
Dunedin Legends Pro-Am at Balmacewen today, started his
professional career in 1974 and had 28 tournament wins.
He had seven wins on the European tour, 19 on the PGA Tour of
Australia and New Zealand, the Mauritius Open, and one win on
the Champions Tour.
But there was also a down side.
Long golf tours abroad cost Davis his marriage to his wife
Pam, when they separated after 37 years.
"It is important to do what you have [to] to play well," he
said.
"You then jump on a plane and come home to be a family man.
I've got two lovely daughters and two granddaughters. But in
the end, it took its toll on Pam and myself.
"We didn't notice it, but slowly and surely we grew apart.
Our likes and dislikes became different."
The key to his success on the professional circuit was to be
an individual when on tour.
But it was also the hardest part of being a successful golf
professional.
"If you played late in the day and you wanted to practise
putts, you would have to renege from dinner engagements . . .
and just take room service at the hotel," he said.
"I would tell my mates that I have to do some puts, some
chipping or hit some balls. You have to do whatever it takes
to make yourself play well."
Davis no longer travels to Europe and the United States, but
is always prepared to play in tournaments in Australia and
New Zealand.
"I don't see myself as a touring pro now," he said.
"I don't play in every event and I'll be cutting back even
more. I have a few other interests and am staying at home
more often."
During his time at the top Davis was noted for his bright
clothing on the course.
He wore plus-fours until he retired from the Champions Tour
in the United States in 2005.
"That was when the plus-fours retired with me," he quipped.
"They weren't a good-luck charm. They were extremely
comfortable and I like wearing them."
He was also noted for harlequin-style socks with his name
emblazoned on them.
This is the first time the Australasian Legends Tour has been
to the South Island.
The tournaments at Queenstown and Millbrook were successful
and Davis expects the same of the Dunedin event.
"I can only see the seniors tour getting bigger and bigger.
We don't have to prove ourselves any more and when we finish
our round, we can have a couple of beers with our playing
partners," he said.
He sees the camaraderie as the key to the seniors tour.
"We can come in and talk to our playing partners," he said.
Forty-seven professionals and 120 golfers will play in
today's first round.
Some of the professionals took part in coaching sessions with
Otago juniors yesterday, and there was a thrill for Otago
Boys High School pupil Cody McMullan (13), who was caddy for
Sir Bob Charles for a practice round at Balmacewen.
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