Kay (30) came from one behind at the beginning of play of yesterday, to improve on those who led and end up winning by three shots from Otago’s Callum Judkins and Kayne Wardell, of Allan Grange.
Kay said he was pleased to have won and that came from consistency in his final round.
"I’m chuffed to win it really. I bogeyed the first hole and the last hole but played good solid golf the rest of the way," he said.
"I hit a lot of greens and that makes it easier round here. It can be awkward round here but I managed it well."
He said the wind was not too bad yesterday and the five birdies spread throughout the round helped his confidence.
Kay had played for Canterbury a few years ago but with work commitments and other stuff going on in his life had not played much tournament golf lately.
But he promised himself he would still give it a crack and hitting every green on the back nine yesterday proved he had made the right decision. He ended up on seven under.
The bogey on the final hole just came about as he loosened up with the win in the bag.
The 54-hole event was part of a series of three tournaments. Southland’s was played last weekend and Canterbury’s is on February 8-9.
Kay, a landscape architect, did not play in the Invercargill tournament, which was won by Jack Turner, of Wakatipu, but he would be lining up in the Canterbury event with some prizemoney at stake.
The women’s event was a close contest and Sumin Kang, of Wakatipu, snatched the win in the extra hole over Maddie May, of Russley, Christchurch.
Both hit 226 over the three rounds and Kang hit a 77 yesterday compared to May’s 79, to get herself into the playoff.
The extra hole was at the first at Balmacewen and Kang parred the hole which was too good for May. May had won the tournament in Invercargill.
The masters event was won by John Cunningham. Of North Otago, who finished one shot ahead of Mark Andrews, of Taieri, Simon Boland, of Winton and Murray Edgar, of Otago.
