Golf: Gillespie six-under in Bridge Pa homecoming

Nick Gillespie.

Auckland-based professional Nick Gillespie made a triumphant return to his former Hastings Golf Club yesterday.

One of 30 professionals playing in the Toshiba Pro-Am, Gillespie, shot a six-under par 66 on the Bridge Pa course and will take a three shot lead into today's final round. The tournament, which began with a sponsors ambrose event on Monday, is Gillespie's first at the club, he represented from 2006-2010, in three years.

"I had a pretty solid round. I didn't make a bogey and I had a couple of birdies which helped," Gillespie recalled.

While Gillespie's round was impressive it was still three shots short of his best at the club, 63, which he has shot on a couple of occasions.

"I'll try and do the same tomorrow," Gillespie said before heading off to enjoy some hospitality from former clubmate Stu Duff.

The son of former New Zealand cricketer Stuart Gillespie of Wanganui will return home tomorrow for two more Pro-Am tournaments before heading to Perth for more tournament play.

Three players, New Plymouth's Steven Heyes, and the Tauranga pair of Kieran Muir and Jared Pender, will start today's round tied for second. Another three, Rangiora's Martin Pettigrew, Taupo's Troy Ropiha and Auckland's Brad Shilton, all shot 70 yesterday.

Predictably Waipukurau's Pieter Zwart and Te Pohue's Doug Holloway were the best of the Hawke's Bay starters with rounds of 71 and 72 respectively. Host club professional Brett Allan shot 73 yesterday.