Haase, Pascoe claim 54-hole golf titles | day three photos

And that, combined with some more practice, has helped the 28-year-old to victory in the prestigious Ballarat District Golf 54-hole championship.

Haase became just the fifth player since 1997 to clinch the crown and took over the mantle held by multiple champion Craig Boucher with Monday’s final-round at Buninyong.

He shared the major spoils with Buninyong veteran Helen Pascoe, who won the women’s scratch event for the 11th time.

Haase said the win across the three days of competition was clearly the highlight of his career.

“There’s a lot of good golfers that have come out of the district, so to have my name on the same trophy as them feels pretty good,” he said.

Haase, from Midlands, finished four under par and claimed the men’s A-grade scratch honour from joint runners-up Boucher and Sean Klain, from Ballarat.

Boucher and Klain were nine shots behind the champion.

Haase shot 69 on Saturday at Ballarat Golf Club, 70 around his home course on Sunday and then 73 at Buninyong in a consistent display across the event.

The one handicapper enjoyed a handy lead heading into the final round and never looked in danger of giving up his position in front.

“The way I’d been striking the ball the first two rounds, I knew there was no reason why I shouldn’t be able to win it,” he said.

After a good night of sleep, Haase admitted he headed to Monday’s round at Buninyong without too many nerves.

“I came into the day feeling positive and just knew that if I played the same golf I’d played for the first two days, it was going to take a pretty good score to beat me,” he said.

“The three days have clicked well together and I’ve come out with the victory.”

Haase said he had played in plenty of the 54-hole championships in the past, but believed his golf had “gone to another level” in the last couple of years.

“(I’ve had) a bit more practice and (have) a lot more self belief, which is pretty big in these sort of things,” he said.

“Everything just seemed to click and this year is the year.”

Pascoe finished the women’s headline event ahead of young rising star Amy Leeson, who was seven shots behind in second position.

The 59-year-old Pascoe shot 77 on day one at Ballarat, 75 at Midlands and closed with a score of 76 at Buninyong for a three-round position of 10 over par.

Pascoe last won the title in 2014 and took back the trophy secured by Ballarat golfer Kate McMahon in 2015.

“There was three of us that were in with a genuine chance for the scratch this year,” Pascoe said.

“I had a few bad holes along the way, but most of the time I played reasonably well.”

While pleased with her own success, Pascoe was also excited to see the emergence of Leeson, who fired a round of 74 to close the tournament.

“It’s fantastic. It’s great for the club, it’s great for the district to have a junior girl with such natural talent and ability,” Pascoe, who had labelled the 16-year-old as one of the winning chances before the event, said.

“She’s really keen to learn, practice, do better and improve. Every time she goes out there, she’s trying to improve.”

Pascoe’s focus is firmly set on winning a national seniors title when the championship is played at Ballarat Golf Club later this year.

“To do that, I’ve got to keep working on my fitness and keep working on my golf as well,” she told The Courier.

Pascoe is the new president of Ballarat District Golf and is currently playing off scratch.