Masterton players hit form

SUCCESS CONTINUES: Harry Bateman after winning his first professional tournament in England this year.PHOTO/FILE

Masterton golfers are having a ball on the New Zealand PGA pro-am golf circuit.

Following Ben Campbell's come-from-behind win at The Dudes course, Matarangi, at the weekend was Harry Bateman's success at the Coombes Johnson BMW event played over 18 holes at Mount Maunganui.

Bateman, who had finished five shots behind Campbell in eighth-equal place in the 36-hole contest at The Dudes, fired a 67 to demolish the field by three shots.

Starting his round on the 13th hole, where he recorded a birdie, Bateman dropped a shot on the next but then picked up another birdie on the 15th.

He went on to make four more birdies over the remainder of the round, two of them coming on his last three holes.

The 2013 golfing year has been a notable one for Bateman, the former Alfredton Primary School and Rathkeale College student winning his first professional title in England back in July.

Dominic Barson (New Plymouth) and Jon Bevitt (Auckland) tied for second on 70.

Barson's round moved him into 10th position on the Mondiale PGA Order of Merit, which could bring some extra benefits in 2014. Ben Campbell shot a 71 to finish fourth-equal with six other players.