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Ryan Peake, a former gang member who has served time in jail for serious assault, doesn’t look like a fellow who should be gently tapping golf balls on the greens of one of New Zealand’s most prestigious courses.
Appearances can be deceptive. Forget, for a moment, that he has a violent past.
Look beyond the tattoos and facial stubble, which give the impression the Australian would be more comfortable pushing a wheelbarrow around a construction site instead of marching down manicured fairways.
Don’t be fooled. The burly Peake, it turns out, is a talented athlete.
So good, in fact, that he won the NZ Open at the Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown on Sunday.
To win the tournament Peake needed to drain a 10-foot putt on the 72nd hole to prevent a play-off. He nailed it.
The 31-year-old became the first left-hander to win the tournament since New Zealander Sir Bob Charles in 1973.
The story of the ex-bikie who spent a lengthy stint eating porridge before knuckling down to focus on golf went global. It was big news.
Peake says he has never shied away from his past. It was his first professional win since being released from prison. It has been quite a journey.
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