Lee shoots 63 to secure victory

Golf

North Harbour professional Richard Lee is making a habit of hitting the headlines at the annual DHL Global Forwarding and Recreational Services pro-am golf tournament, played on successive days at the Eketahuna and Masterton courses.

His win at the weekend was his second in the event - the first coming in 2009 - and his record-breaking 63 at Masterton on Sunday means he now holds the record for both courses, having earlier shot a 62 at Eketahuna.

In his latest victory Lee had to come from behind, his 66 at Eketahuna placing him two shots behind Daniel Pearce (Ashburton) going into the Masterton round.

And while Pearce managed a very respectable 67 at Lansdowne he had no answer to Lee who recorded eight birdies in his scintillating 63, finishing with nine threes and nine fours, in the process.

Leading scorers in the professional section were: 129 Richard Lee (North Harbour) 66, 63; 131 Daniel Pearce (Ashburton) 64, 67; 134 Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 68, 66; 135 Jared Pender (Tauranga) 69, 66; 136 Leighton James (Hastings) 69, 67; 138 Dominic Barson (Kaitaki) 67, 71; 138, Doug Holloway (Hawkes Bay) 68, 70; 139 (Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland) 71, 68.

The amateur section was won by Phil Rutene, Susan Rutene and Leith Comer who had Pearce as their professional playing partner. Second were Peter Kenny, Dave Cameron and Roger Allan who played alongside professional Tony Christie and third Gavin Harris, Simon Buckley and Ray Vervaart who had Luke Nobilo as their professional.

Guest celebrity, cricket great Sir Richard Hadlee, entertained a large crowd at a social gathering on Friday night, leaving them amazed with his recall on playing statistics during a question-and-answer session.