Kiwi pair set off on world golf journey
BY Bruce Young | 25 Jan 2010
On January 1st this year two New Zealanders set off on a journey that would seem only a dream to the average but avid golfer.
Jamie Patton and Michael Goldstein plan to play a round of golf on every day of 2010 on golf courses round the world and will finish up their adventure on December 31st at the Cape Kidnappers Golf course in near Napier in Hawkes Bay.
In between times the pair is planning on playing golf in Australia, the USA, Europe, Britain, Europe and Asia. One look at their itinerary is enough to exhaust even the golfing nerd. Starting at Kauri Cliffs on January 1st, the journey through NZ will take them throughout the North and South Islands until winding up in Queenstown at Jack’s Point on Sunday January 31st which co-incidentally is the final day of the New Zealand Open at the nearby Hills Golf Club.
Both Patton and Goldstein are corporate lawyers and although both are promoting the kiwi ethos as playing a significant role in their odyssey, interestingly, neither is New Zealand born. Patton was raised in Scotland before moving to New Zealand while Goldstein was born in Australia before moving to New Zealand in 1989.
Their exploits however are sure to assist the development of the game in New Zealand with the First Tee Programme the beneficiary of fund raising activities during their twelve months ’on the road’.
Both golfers are single figure handicappers.
“Leaving a job in law seems a no brainer,” said Goldstein on the website especially created for the journey. "Somewhere inside of me I am wired to take risks and (at this stage) a stable secure career does not appeal. Golf wise, I was a member of Russley Golf Club for about 15 years before joining Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch, NZ.
They have named their quest PureGolf2010.
More information on the lads and their day by day golfing adventure may be found on www.puregolf2010.com
