TOP FORM: Jared Pender shot 62 last week to equal the course record at Te Puke. PHOTO: GEORGE NOVAK
Setting course records is second nature to Jared Pender.
The former full-time tour professional, now happily ensconced as the head pro at the Te Puke Golf Club, was at it again at his new golfing home.
On Thursday he went out for a casual round with his father-in-law and some mates and shot a 10-under 62, a recognised score to equal the course record off the white tees.
"I am going to claim it," Pender, 33, said with a grin.
It was one heck of a round of golf over the challenging 5695m course.
Pender began with four birdies in shooting 4-under on the outward nine, then after an eagle on the par-five 10th he fired four more birdies to blitz the back nine in 6-under and sign for 62.
Last February Pender shot 61 to break the old course record at Morrinsville Golf Club, where the club website claims "par is not often broken even by the best golfers."
His most renowned course record was a share of 59 at Tauranga Golf Club where he grew up playing the game. Last year Luke Toomey smashed that record with a remarkable round of 58.
Pender also holds the record at Rangiora Golf Club with a 9-under 63.
He said he "hit it really good" in his 62 at Te Puke last week.
"I left a couple out there but I wasn't really thinking about it until I eagled 10 and birdied 11 which got me to 7-under. Then it went a bit stale and then birdies on three of the last four holes.
"It was very pleasing."
Pender was enjoying the stability of being a club pro rather than chasing his golfing dreams, which for most tour pros in Australasia is a constant battle to keep ahead of the financial struggles.
"I really, really enjoy it. The members out here are amazing. It doesn't really feel like I'm coming to work," he said.
"I find it a lot more comfortable now, not living off the credit card. When I am out on the course or playing tournaments I am a lot more relaxed.
"I am enjoying my time on the course. A couple of months ago I had those two wins in the pro-ams at Hawera and Rangiora with no practice and just the odd round out here with the members.
"There are not so many things on your brain when it comes to financially thinking about next week."
Pender said life on the road for most tour pros was nothing like the lifestyle enjoyed by the top tier of players.
"Golf fans would not have any idea. You have to practice 30 to 40 hours a week and then you have your gym on top of that. If you don't have a manager you have to organise all your accommodation, your entries, your travel and it does start building up.
"You probably couldn't do it unless you were in the top five of every tournament and played every tournament, or if you had backing.
"But backing is nearly impossible to come by. You do find people who help you out with accommodation or maybe a car here and there. There is a lack of tournaments, especially in New Zealand."
Pender was also excited about the number of new members signing up at Te Puke, which he said was easy to get a game on.
"Course availability is still huge and that is the big drawcard here. The new highway has been really good and I have noticed a huge difference since that opened."
'Fourteen people on board are all accounted for and back on dry land.'