Mark Brown triumphs to win fourth Carrus Open

Mark Brown has completed back-to-back Carrus Open victories to top off a perfect week in the Jennian Homes Charles Tour season finale.

Brown captured his fourth Carrus Open by two shots this afternoon in front of the heaving Tauranga Golf Club who witnessed the veteran make five birdies on his opening nine to card a round of 65.

His dominance at this event is un-matched in New Zealand and the adopted local couldnt be happier to win in his last four starts at this event.

"It feels great and this one feels different to all the others, I played really well on the final day and showed patience which I havent shown of recent," said Brown.

"I drove it straight which was the key, I hit every drive bar one exactly where I was aiming and when you do that youre not in the racetrack which makes things a lot easier."

There have been threats of players shooting 59 throughout the week which meant his overnight lead was never safe this afternoon.

"I knew a handful of players were going to shoot about 63 so I had to be one of them rather than having a lead and trying to defend it. I had to be aggressive and I was, so it was a nice way to start."

To see thousands swarm to the course to watch the last event of the summer showed golf in New Zealand is growing and the Jennian Homes Charles Tour is only getting stronger.

"It was awesome to see a lot of people out by the tees and around the greens, its a nice sight to see golf in New Zealand getting popular again."

"I love playing these tournaments, there are great young amateurs and the girls are out here playing in what is a great format. Both fields are strong and it creates a perfect contest here in New Zealand."

To add to the drama, Gareth Paddison deservedly won the Jennian Homes Trophy, but not without stress. Paddison, who was leading the points race entering this week, got off to a slow start before shooting matching weekend scores of 63 to finish in a crucial tie for second.

"It feels fantastic, to come here needing a good finish and to deliver in the end is pleasing. It wasnt playing on my mind until late in the piece when I wondered if I had done enough and it turns out I did."

To take home the title and the additional $5000 prize, he had to finish inside the top three which he did by a whisker to book his place in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open.

"I think I have won probably over $25,000 in the last five weeks which is amazing on our local circuit so its growing quickly thanks to all the support from everyone involved."

Joining him in second place was Harry Bateman who has been the bridesmaid four times now and will be searching for ways to change this by the time next summer rolls around.

A large percentage of todays gallery would have been courtesy of Te Pukes Jared Pender who also had his best finish of the year falling just three shots short in third place alone.

To top off a superb week, Jennian Homes has once again added in a late bonus for players who have played in every event of the 2016/17 season with an additional $2000 for their support and perseverance.

Sam An, Josh Geary, Mark Brown and Shaun Jones were the four leading players who competed in each event and we recognised for their consistency.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ