Golf: Young achiever Bailey Smith triumphs

A wayward approach from Mount Maunganui's Hayden Beard cost him a chance in a playoff at the Grant Clements Memorial Tournament on Sunday. Photo/George Novak

A three-man playoff led to some tense moments at the Grant Clements

Memorial Tournament at Mount Maunganui Golf Club on Sunday before a local lad held his nerve.

Bailey Smith prevailed on the first playoff hole by firing a pinpoint approach to the picturesque 18th green, leading to a birdie that could not be replicated by either clubmate Hayden Beard or Lochiel's Sam Vincent.

Smith - who completed Year 13 last year after being put ahead a year - had more than his fair share of experience and local knowledge on his side with father Keith on board as caddie.

"It was good having him on the bag; I was pretty nervous," Smith said.

"I was talking to Craig Hamilton and he calmed me down a little bit, then I hit a good drive and a wedge pretty close.

"I was pretty nervous over the putt, but it went right in the middle so I was happy."

Smith was leaving for a Charles Tour event in Manawatu today ahead of a trip to the South Island Strokeplay and NZ Open stage two qualifier.

He hoped the win would lead to bigger and better things and was proud to have won on his home track.

"There are lots of expectations I guess because it's my home course, so it was great to do well."

Vincent narrowly missed his birdie putt, while Beard's tournament effectively came to an end when his errant approach found a greenside bunker.

Earlier, a host of players, including Nick Coxan (Narrows), Luke Toomey (Lochiel) and Jordan Bakermans (Canterbury), moved in and then out of contention as the top three players moved towards a three-round score of 211.

Beard's strong weekend was not without its rewards as, alongside Sam Davis, he claimed the district competition by four strokes from Waikato's Nick Coxan and Denzel Ieremia.

It was a top few days for Smith, who along with Compton Pikari (Te Awamutu) successfully defended the 36-hole New Zealand Foursomes title on Friday against 38 other pairings.

The duo was four strokes behind after the opening morning round, but rode six birdies in the poor weather to fire a fine 68 to win by one stroke.