Josh Geary too good at The Hills

Tauranga’s Josh Geary shot a best of the day 66 to come from behind for a three shot victory on nine under par in The Hills Invitation Pro-Am in Arrowtown, Otago, last month.

First round leader Michael Hendry, who shot 66 with six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys to lead Charlie Smail by a shot with Queenstown’s Ben Campbell 68 and Geary 69 next, could not sustain that form in the second round. 

In a topsy turvy 73 he recorded three birdies, an eagle, four bogeys and a double bogey on the notorious par three 16th. This would have brought back memories of a similar encounter with the creek which could have cost him at the New Zealand Open some years ago. His third placing on five under par was still a fine effort.

Geary, however, had no such problems and played almost flawless golf with five birdies, an eagle on the par five first hole and just a lone bogey. For Geary this was a nice way to finish the year as he looks forward to spending some extended quality time with his wife and two young children. He will probably play the Victorian Open before the New Zealand Open in the New Year then just play New Zealand Charles Tour events. Then at the end of the year he will look at the Asian Tour qualifying school.

Defending title holder Nick Voke had a second round 68 to nab second place on six under par. Ben Campbell climbed a few places with a stunning six metre eagle putt on his final hole to finish on five under in a tie for third with Hendry and Australian Jordan Zunic. — By Neville Idour.