New Zealand contenders Turnbull and van Eekelen returned to form at the Queensland Hickory Open, following in the footsteps of Anthony Doyle’s recent performance at the Australian Open.
Turnbull set the standard with a nett 68, before van Eekelen went three shots better with a superb nett 65. Their scores secured first and second place in the nett competition, with van Eekelen finding the decisive strokes over the final two holes.
The official results produced one particularly amusing entry: an apparent eagle on a 712-metre par four. The reality was less improbable, but still impressive—a birdie on a challenging par three.
The results came against a seasoned field that included current professional players Jeff and Dave Mansfield, Alex Sutherland and Dave Reckless, together with former national and world hickory champions Bruce Collins and Dave Mansfield.
Van Eekelen also finished only three shots behind the leading gross score. Given the quality of the field and the handicap differential, it was an outstanding performance.
As the defending Queensland Foursomes champion, van Eekelen already has a strong connection with the tournament. This latest result adds another successful chapter to that relationship and signals a welcome return to form for the New Zealand contingent.