Simon Owen on ‘World of Sport’

Press, 28 September 1983, Page 14

Simon Owen on ‘World of Sport’

The runner-up in both the British Open and the Colgate World Match Play golf tournaments in 1978, Simon Owen, will be the guest on “World of Sport,” screening on One this evening.

Owen will talk about his career, which includes wins in the German Open, the New Zealand Open, and the New Zealand P.G.A. among others.

He is now taking a break from the circuit to help heal a shoulder injury, but will be back on the international scene in late 1983.

Once regarded as one of the two best softball pitchers in the world, the former international, Bill Massey, who has recently started playing again, will join the programme in “The Skill Factor.”

Bill Massey coaches a group of young players in the skills of catching and throwing, and next week will return with hints on batting and pitching. The other pitcher who ranked

with Massey back in the 60s was an American, also named Bill Massey. In “Workout” this week, Dr Dave Gerrard will discuss the stresses that canoeing and rowing place on the body and will outline the type of training that these activities require. There will also be a profile on one of New Zealand’s top young badminton prospects, Glen Cox, aged 17, of Auckland. He is coached by nine times New Zealand singles champion, Richard Purser.

Ronnie Moore, twice world speedway champion, will be shown coaching a group of talented young riders at a speedway school in Christchurch.

The big advantage of having someone like Ronnie Moore as a mentor is that the youngsters learn the correct way from the time they start. No bad habits are picked up and the natural talent is allowed to come through.