Former Otago representative Nick Borren shot rounds of 69 and 71 for a two-shot win in a 36-hole tournament on the Chisholm Links course yesterday.
Borren finished two shots ahead of another Balmacewen player in Brandon Hodgson, while Jonny Mackay (Timaru) and Michael Smith (Island Park) were tied for third, two further shots back on 144.
The women's honours went to Tracey Storer (Bellknowes) who fought off any challengers with a 79 in the afternoon round.
Borren held a two-shot lead after the morning round from Hodgson, Mike Wray (Island Park) and Blake Mason (Wanaka), who all had regulation opening rounds.
Borren looked set to run away with the event after carding birdies at the second, fifth, and sixth hole to go 5-under par for the day. But he made a bogey four on the seventh hole and a double-bogey six at the ninth, to turn square with the card.
He parred the final nine to retain his lunchtime lead and take the honours.
Hodgson was 2-over early in the morning but got back to square with a stunning eagle two on the difficult 12th hole.
His eight-iron approach spun back into the cup to put him level par at the halfway stage.
The next major tournament will be over 72 holes on the Kelvin Heights course in Queenstown.
