Ben Patston saved his best for last carding a 2-under-par 69 yesterday to shut the door on all challengers in the national left-handed championship which concluded at Chisholm Links.
Patston (Otago) had arranged with his employer to have the mornings off to compete in the event, but he did not complete yesterday’s round until about 5pm. The Chisholm Links course was shrouded in sea mist and play was suspended at 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am to ensure the safety of the golfers.‘‘We had to sit out most of the morning and wait but I played a lot of card games until I teed off at about 1pm,’’ he said.
In the senior event, David Fraser (Alexandra) opened up an almost unassailable lead and ensured victory by playing the course and not competing against his nearest rivals.
The formula paid dividends and he waltzed to a 25-shot win on his former stomping ground.Patston finished six shots ahead of Mike Wray (Island Park).
Wray also finished strongly with a 1-under 70.Patston (31) took advantage of the calm conditions turning 2-under with birdies on the third and seventh holes.
He went 4-under with birdies on 11 and the par-3 14th where he chipped in for a birdie two.Patston seemed set for a 67 but had to be content with a 69 after dropping shots on the 15th and 18th holes.
With their national titles, Patston and Fraser may be tempted to compete in the world left-handed tournament in Melbourne in late October.
