Top Two Tie Te Puke Pro-Am

Mike Hendry and Richard Lee

Te Puke Golf Club hosted the final pro-am of the year on the PGA of New Zealand Tour last Friday, and it was fitting that the runaway winner of the Order of Merit, Michael Hendry tied for first place with Richard Lee, who was second on the Order of Merit. Both players scored four under par rounds of 68, closely followed by Troy Ropiha on 69.

 Ropiha was in turn third on the OOM and needed to finish in front of Lee to pass him for the year. It was not to be, but he can be well satisfied with his year, without a victory but showing great consistency.

Hendry put his round together with three birdies, an eagle and a bogey, while Lee was a bit more adventuresome, scoring seven birdies, a bogey and a double. Ropiha had four birdies and a bogey.

Grant Moorhead and Alex Tait tied for fourth place on 70. There were another twelve players on par or better.

There was almost as much interest and drama in the event mid-field, with Clarke Osborne’s 2010 playing year dependant on him making at least $29 to move from 26th to 25th and thus secure his 2010 playing card.

Jim Cusdin was in Australia earning his Australasian Tour card along with Brenden Stuart and Josh Carmichael, but he had already done enough to be the Rookie of the Year from the 09 Q-School, finishing in 11th position.