Palmer finished 10 strokes back from eventual winner Michael Hendry, who defended his championship title with a playoff victory over Australian Scott Strange after the pair finished at 19-under after four rounds.
The 33-year-old Palmer has been the club pro at The Hills for five years and finished alongside some useful company in his share of 21st place as Kiwi professionals Richard Lee and Mark Brown also finished at nine-under, as well as Korean Soon-Sang Hong.
Although Palmer had the clearest of home ground advantages he actually hadn't played a lot in the lead up to the tournament as he had been busy assisting in the operation and set up.
"It certainly helps a lot but I'm more nervous playing here in this tournament than I am in any other tournament that I play in. But the longer I spent out there the more comfortable I felt," he said.
Palmer's efforts saw him net $5,518 but he insisted the cash wasn't on his mind as he went into the weekend.
"I had not even thought about the money and then [Sunday] morning before I teed off I wandered past the notice board and I saw the prize-money breakdown," he said.
"It was the first time I looked at it and I thought 'good heavens, I can do all right out of this'. I'll buy my wife something nice and I'll certainly look after my caddy who's been absolutely fantastic, giving up his week to help me, but that money's just a bonus."
Not bad for four days' work.
