Golf: It's happy birthday for Charlie Hillier

Te Puke's Charlie Hillier is the 2014 North Island Under-19 men's champion. Photo/File

Bay of Plenty rep Charlie Hillier celebrated his 17th birthday in style by winning the prestigious North Island Under-19 Championship at the Hamilton Golf Club on Friday.

The Te Puke golfer, who led by one shot from Brayden Mazey (Royal Wellington) heading into the final round, carded a one-over par 73 in the warm and windy conditions to finish four strokes ahead of Australian Fidel Concepcion. Mazey (78) was two shots further back in third place.

But the week was all about Hillier, who represented the Bay of Plenty in the recent NZ men's interprovincial championship, as he continued his province's impressive start to the 2014 season.

Hillier was rewarded with a resounding Happy Birthday as he accepted the trophy that is inscribed with a who's-who of New Zealand's golfing elite over the years.

Bay of Plenty Golf now have three trophies in their cabinet early in 2014 after Bailey Smith and Alanna Campbell claimed junior titles in Australia.

It did not always look likely as Hillier got off to a slow start on the St Andrews layout. He opened with three bogeys in the first seven holes as he tried to close out his first age-grade national title.

But Hillier rallied with birdies on the 8th and 10th to restore his lead.

Meanwhile Mazey, who birdied the opening hole to get into a share of the lead, faded in his first nine holes to the final round as he made the turn in four-over par 41.

Concepcion had his chance to claim the title when he delivered a couple of late birdies but bogeys in three of the final four holes thwarted his challenge.

Hillier mixed a bogey and birdie on the 13th and 15th and then parred his way home to secure the title comfortably.

After rounds of 69, 75 and 73 for a one-over par total, Hillier was a deserved champion as he followed in the footsteps of the likes of Phil Tataurangi, Mark Brown and Brad Iles as North Island Under-19 champions.

"I got off to a slow start but it was pretty windy and conditions weren't easy. I birdied 8 and 10 and felt more relaxed. I played really well coming home and got the result," he said.

Hillier is a talented footballer, who trialled for West Ham as a 10-year-old, but playing golf in the US is his main goal.

"My main focus is playing three or four tournaments in June in front of the Oregan Golf coach and then he makes the decision on scholarships."

Meanwhile, in the women's division at the Ngaruawahia Golf Club, Auckland Jocelyn Katu sealed her first national age group title.

The Aviation Golf Club member carded a 10-over par 82 in the difficult conditions of the final round to win by two shots from Jiyeon Park (South Korea).

Alanna Campbell (Omanu) was the best of the Bay girls in sixth place on 230, with Tyla Kingi fading with an 89.