Golf: Bay players fall short of top prizes

Josh Geary had to settle for third place at the Barfoot and Thompson Akarana Open.

Western Bay of Plenty golfers were in with a chance of winning both the men's and women's titles at the Barfoot and Thompson Akarana Open that finished in Auckland yesterday.

In the end the pros had to settle for lesser prize money - and in the case of Omanu amateur Alanna Campbell, third prize - after they faltered following promising starts.

Campbell, 16, was backing up after her scintillating form in the New Zealand Amateur 36-hole matchplay final where she lost on the final green to Julianne Alvarez at Titirangi last weekend.

Campbell signed for a fine 70 in Thursday's opening round but struggled in the wind to post a 74 in round two to be five shots back in second place behind winner Wenyung Keh (Pakuranga).

Campbell dropped five shots in the opening five holes of round three before finishing with 78, and a final-round 73 put her third on 295 behind Alvarez (293) and Keh (286).

Mount Maunganui's Josh Geary and Tauranga's Jared Pender had their moments in the men's tournament but winner Gareth Paddison was too consistent, shooting 66 on each of the four rounds to finish -16, ahead of outstanding Manawatu amateur Joshua Munn on -12. Geary had to settle for 3rd equal after an inconsistent effort.

The defending champ was fresh from victory on the PGA Tour China Series and started in brilliant form, equalling the course record 61 on Thursday.

A costly 73 in round two in windy conditions was crucial and he finished on -10.

Pender was in contention after opening rounds of 67 and 66 and had a tidy finish of 70 and 68 to be sixth equal at 9-under. Omokoroa's Kieran Muir was 29th on 283, with Omanu's Craig Hamilton 36th on 285.

Te Puke's teenage Hillier brothers were the best Western Bay amateurs.

Charlie started with a superb 67 followed by 73, 75, 73 to finish 8-over on 288, while younger brother Harry finished on 11-over after rounds of 73, 69, 72 and 77.