Gareth Paddison stepping back from tour golf

By Neville Idour

Gareth Paddison is always happy to play The Hills Pro-Am and was happy to chat about life since ceasing the touring professional grind. He reflected on 2022.

“It has been a great year for me,’’ Paddison said.

“Covid forced me to make that decision to stop playing full time and look at coaching. The NZPGA offered some of the tour players a full month coaching course which has been amazing. It has given me a new lease on life and also that security I did not have as a player. There were some good weeks but not enough to sustain playing full time and get ahead in life or feeling that security.

“So for me it has been a very good change in direction. Of course I have a wonderful supportive partner Christin who has helped me in making that decision. So 2022 has seen progress moneywise. I have made good headway into my mortgage which I probably couldn’t have done if I was still playing full time. They say money doesn’t make you happy … but … it has given me options.

“For me I think it has made me happier in the sense that I feel more comfortable. I haven’t got credit card debt now. Some of the costs I had I didn’t realise the stress I was under until the stress goes away … then look back and think I haven’t got those overheads anymore which is a great feeling. Now with coaching it keeps me in the game. I play every weekend with a couple of students that I teach so I’m not totally out of the game.”

What does 2023 hold for Paddison?

“Golf-wise I want to play five events on the Australasian PGA Tour. I will have to apply for invites to all of them, including the New Zealand Open and NZPGA because my ranking isn’t high enough. I have played every New Zealand Open since 1999 so it would be really good to get an invite to it. I may be able to get into a couple of lesser events through my NZPGA category.”

After that?

“After five events, if I keep my card, I will play the bigger events at the end of the year in Australia, and if I don’t keep my card that is telling me I am going to coach. Whatever happens it is a win win. I get to play a little bit of competition, see how my game is and if I can keep my card. If I can’t keep my card I know where my game is at and I can coach which I am more than happy to do.

“I don’t really miss the grind of practice which is telling me it is a good opportunity to stay coaching, away from the grind and play events like this (The Hills Pro-Am) and the occasional pro-am here and there.”

On that note we wish Gareth well for the 2023 year.