Talented youngsters in elite squad

Two of Marlborough's talented young golfers have the chance to maximise their potential this season after inclusion in the Tasman Junior Golf Academy new elite training squad.

Marlborough Golf Club members Brad Dickson and Luke Jackson have been named in the six-strong squad that will train under the guidance of Tasman Golf Club professional Glyn Delany.

Neither are newcomers to the Tasman scene with Dickson playing for Tasman under-16 last year while Jackson represented the Tasman senior eight-man team in 2008.

For Dickson, making the squad was the continuation of a rapid rise after picking up the clubs just four years ago. The 16-year-old Marlborough Boys' College student currently plays off a two handicap and is looking to go even lower.

"I've been working pretty hard," Dickson said. "I started on a 38 handicap which is the worst you can have. Every year I've made a goal to get down to various handicaps which I've achieved. Just to make the squad and be in a position to improve further is exciting."

Dickson regularly travels to Nelson for training while Delany makes a monthly trip to Blenheim where they hit balls at the driving range, video Dickson's swing and analyse it to find areas for improvement.

As well as top-class coaching, Dickson said the squad would also give him access to numerous big tournaments including the South Island stroke play championships and the South Island under-19s.

Too old to play for Tasman under-16 this year, Dickson said his aim was now to make the under-19 side.

After a year away from golf Jackson still plays off a one handicap and is hoping to return to the form that saw him represent the Tasman seniors while still in college.

The 18-year-old left-hander is currently living in Nelson while he studies adventure tourism at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology but plans to travel back to Blenheim to represent the Marlborough club in MacDonald Cup interclub play.

Last year Jackson put golf on the back burner as he completed an outdoor education course but this year is ready to focus on the sport again.

"I'm really happy to be in the squad. Glyn is an awesome coach and is good to work with because he's so dedicated," Jackson said.

"He's expecting a lot of commitment from us, which is normal."

Jackson said his main aims for the year were to perform well in tournaments and push for a place in the Tasman senior team to attend the Toro Interprovincials at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club in December.

- The Marlborough Express