Around 600 students at Queenstown Primary School gave world champion shot putter and Halberg Supreme Champion, Tom Walsh a rousing welcome to remember.
Walsh is in Queenstown to play in this week’s 100th New Zealand Open but took time out from his training schedule to give top tips to students looking to achieve their sporting dreams.
“I found school tough because I had dyslexia, but if you work hard at it you can achieve great things,” he said. “I did lots of sports and wanted to be an All Black or a Black Cap because I really loved cricket, but I decided to put my eggs in one basket throwing shots and it worked.
“If you love what you do it’s easy to really enjoy it.”
A teacher revealed a special connection with Walsh – Mel Thatcher was his former Year 7 and 8 form teacher at Waihi Boys School in South Canterbury and the two enjoyed reminiscing.
Walsh joins an impressive field of professional golfers and sporting elite competing in the NZD $1.3m event at Millbrook Resort and The Hills (co-sanctioned with the Australasian Tour and the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour).
He’s a keen golfer who plays off a nine handicap, and will play as an amateur alongside other New Zealand Open ambassadors including former double international Jeff Wilson, former New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming, legendary cricketer Shane Warne and former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting.
All Black Israel Dagg and Kiwi restauranteur Josh Emett are joined by other ambassadors including Grant Fox, Sir Russell Coutts and Hayden Paddon.
