Leonard named in national team

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

HOT PROPERTY: Young Timaru golfer Tim Leonard is set to take on New Zealand's traditional rivals Australia in Wellington.

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Teenage Timaru golfer Tim Leonard has made his first New Zealand team.

He was named in the four-man Kiwi under-19 side to play Australia on March 29 and 30 in Wellington.

The 17-year-old has been knocking on the international door for some time and he and fellow Aorangi golfer, Mark O'Malley of Ashburton, were named for the Federal Trophy in Canberra as individuals last October.

Unfortunately a bout of chickenpox meant Leonard could not make the trip, meaning a second opportunity to take on New Zealand's traditional rivals was gratefully accepted.

"I'm really looking forward to it and my form has been pretty good."

Leonard plays off a plus two handicap and one of his strengths is his prodigious drive, regularly getting the ball out to just under 300 metres.

In Wellington he will be reunited with O'Malley, with Keelan Kilpatrick and under-19 North Island amateur winner Vaughan McCall, of Gore, completing the team.

Leonard is busy splitting his time between Roncalli College, where he is deputy head boy, and his dream of becoming a pro golfer. He heads to Invercargill this weekend to play in a tournament and will also play in the New Zealand Amateur over the next month.

Leonard has also taken up a fitness regime under coach Andre van Staten that includes yoga. "The Aussie golfers are all into it and I took it on board."

Leonard said yoga had improved his flexibility which allowed him to `hang the ball' a lot longer.

Leonard is starting to fulfil the promise he showed early.

In 2006, aged 14 1/2, he debuted at the men's interprovincial, the youngest player to represent Aorangi.

On his home course of Levels he became the youngest New Zealand-born player to record a win at the national event.

That year he also represented New Zealand at the Jack Newton Tournament in Newcastle.

He recently finished 10th at the North Island Amateur and was in the top four going into the last round.

Leonard hopes his good form will continue and he will be named in the 12 players in New Zealand Golf High Performance Academy.

The Srixon Academy represents the pinnacle of amateur golf development, facilitating progressive development towards an increased level of international success for Kiwi golfers.

stu.piddington@timaruherald.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News