A qualifying Queenstown golf pro has taken on two roles aimed at introducing more people, including juniors, to golf.
In one role, Byron Willis, 24, is the new coordinator for Futures Whakatipu, the former Queenstown Junior Golf Club, which has about 180 active junior golfers, aged under 19.
He’s also golf development officer for Golf Otago, covering most of Central Otago.
Willis, who is in the final two months of his Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) traineeship, says the two roles have effectively merged — ‘‘it’s a pretty full plate’’.
He grew up in Bay of Plenty, which he represented at age-group, junior and senior levels before moving to Queenstown almost three years ago.
Since then he’s spent about 18 months working at Queenstown Golf Club’s Kelvin Heights course.
He notes Futures Whakatipu players don’t have their own facility, but instead have access to the Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown courses.
The club, he says, has played a big role in the development of many local golfers, including those who dominated the Otago Junior Boys’ team who finished close runners-up in the recent New Zealand Junior Interprovincial Champs.
‘‘I just want to try to get more people into the game because it was a big part of my childhood.
‘‘It’s a pretty special game ’cos regardless of your ability there’s always a level playing field because of the handicap system.
‘‘You can be best mates with someone and your skill levels can be miles apart, but you still get the same enjoyment out of it.’’
Willis says Futures Whakatipu members will be doing some fundraising during next month’s two-day Skyline Charity Classic at the Kelvin Heights course’s 10th hole.
