Gailey returns to win after a six-year drought

RYAN Gailey has returned to the leaderboard after a six-year pause with a one-shot win at the Ocean Shores CUB Pro-Am at Ocean Shores Country Club.

Gailey’s full-time role as the Golf Operations Manager at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club allows few opportunities to play, and the champ said his form has been down lately.

“But I came back last week, and when I walked in today, I felt comfortable about my game again,” he said.

“For the last six weeks, I’ve made a conscious decision to try to enjoy my golf again. I’ve been making some good swing changes with my coach, Ji McBryde, and I’m hopeful to play a few events at the end of the year.

“I play a handful of Pro-Ams each year and always decide never to look at the leaderboard. I was feeling quite good, and with two par fives to go, I thought I would try to make a decision. I looked at the leader board, and it was fair to say it was not a good thing to do as I left a five-foot putt for birdie short on the 18th.

“Luckily, I birdied the first, but I’d say that I won’t be looking at the leaderboard again.”

Club professional Chris Graham said the day had been an enormous success.

“Our amateur winner in the men’s game was Andrew Moran on 43 points, and Val March won the women’s on 34 points,” he said.”We’d like to say a huge thanks to our major sponsor, Carlton United Breweries, and also a massive thank you to our many other sponsors who make this day possible.”

The Adidas PGA Pro-Am Series remains in northern NSW this week with the McGrath Estate Agents Ballina Pro-Am, followed by the Love Golf Fitting & Coaching Studio Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club Pro-Am.