Day 38 was hot. Waikato hot. The sweat glands were working over time. And there was an eager sense of anticipation between us, given we were to play with Simon Perry - a local businessman of some repute. (Simon is a golfing buddy of Sarge, Michael's Auntie's partner, both of whom joined us too).
In the battle to stay hydrated - on the practice putting green at this stage - I downed 3 bottles of water in 10 minutes. Sarge had let on that Simon - who very generously donates to a number of local causes, often via the Perry Foundation - might sponsor us if we beat him. So we thought we better play some proper golf. That means being hydrated; hence the dairy cow-like H20 consumption. Needless to say I spent as much time watering the plants as I did playing golf - but at least the brain was working (I think)!
As usual we threw up the balls on the 1st, and I drew Sarge as my playing partner, which turned out to be lucky. I have never met - and I do mean never - anyone who can dish out such relentless banter as Sarge. He must exhaust himself. Poor Simon got the worst of it; but I get the impression that having played against Sarge in a few Ryder Cups (an annual haggle that these chaps have with a few mates) Simon's pretty numb to it. He gave it back too, to his credit. In fact, were it not for an errant approach shot on the 18th, Simon would have beaten Sarge without hitting a fairway on the day - a feat I'm sure he would have got plenty mileage out of.
Jane's caddying prowess added to the atmosphere on course - we all had a ball. I think Simon, at least in one sense, could relate to what Michael and I are doing - he himself traveled the world for a year with his young family; in his words "the best year of my life." Well I better not describe this year so - in case my lovely girlfriend happens to be reading today's post - but 2010's shaping up to be a blinder.
Logistically it just got a little easier too. We're pursuing sponsorship to help meet our expenses on this mad odyssey. And one of Simon's companies - Perry Aggregates - has very generously sponsored us $10 for every game we play. So a big thank you goes out to Mr Perry - both for his generosity and for being good company on the way around Ngaruawahia.
Tomorrow we'll be in Auckland (after playing Pukekohe on the way up), where we'll have a big week ahead. Look out for us on Breakfast TV at 7.40am on Wednesday! And on Thursday we're playing with Phil Leishman, Phil Tataurangi and Craig Heatley (who brought The First Tee to New Zealand) at Titirangi - a game that's going to be filmed for the UBS Golf Show and aired on Sky Sports. Better make sure I'm hydrated!
JP
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Private video?
Posted by , 08/02/2010 2:34am (3 years ago)
Chisholm Park
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