By Michael Davis
SURELY there cannot be a better comeback story in golf and life than that of 30-year-old Ryan Peake, the WA professional who recently strung together three consecutive victories on his home state’s pro-am circuit.
His life has certainly been a roller-coaster.
He has gone from being one of the state’s best amateurs as a teenager before becoming completely disillusioned with golf soon after turning professional and losing his way in life altogether.
“I spiralled into depression I was dealing with in my personal life and got into some very anti-social behaviour.”
Putting it bluntly, he lost his way completely. So much so that he joined an Outlaw Motorcycle (OMG) gang in Perth and ended up being sentenced to seven years in jail for two counts of grievous bodily harm – one on a drug dealer.
But while he was in jail, a saviour emerged in the form of respected high profile coach Ritchie Smith.
“He reached out to me half way through my jail time and said, ‘what about giving golf another try?’ I hadn’t touched a club for seven or eight years and was thinking of an electrical apprenticeship while I was in jail. But Ritchie knew me as a youngster and convinced me to give golf another go.”
In 2014, out of jail but still on parole for two years, the WA Parole Board gave Ryan permission to travel to what he calls ‘my first major’. It was the Australian Amateur Championship held at Royal Queensland and Brisbane golf clubs.
He qualified top 10 but was eventually pipped 1-down in the matchplay section of the event by emerging youngster, Elvis Smylie.
“I turned pro again just after Covid hit and there were no tournaments.
“I let golf slip again and went to work as a trade assistant in the mines up north, playing golf only occasionally.”
Then late last year, he turned his attention to full-time golf again.
About this time another benefactor came along willing to sponsor him. The details of the contract he has signed with the local businessman are confidential.
“But it is not about him making money,” Ryan said. “It is about me having a second chance and being given the opportunity again. I am very fortunate. He just wanted to be involved in something different.”
Ryan is now a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia and thanks that body for letting him join in spite of his background.
While trying to finish as high as possible on the Australasian Tour this season, Ryan also has his eye on the first stage of the DP (European) World Tour’s qualifying school at Rosebud Country Club on the Mornington Peninsula later this year.
“The DP Tour’s Criminal Commission is looking at my application in light of my past. You cannot back away from your past and it is always with you. Occasionally, it will put hurdles in your way forward. This is an example of that. I hope they (DP tour officials) rule in my favour.”
The big-hitting left-hander is in good form on the golf course.
He won the last three events on the north west swing of the 12-event pro-am circuit recently completed in WA.
They were the Bennco Group Karatha Pro-Am, the Roy Hill Golf Classic and the Broome Furnishings – Carpet, Paint and Tiles Pro–Am.
At Karratha Country Club, he achieved a career first victory and set a new course record in taking out the event by three strokes.
Major sponsor Bennco bolstered the prize money from $11,000 in 2022 to $20,000 and Ryan took full advantage.
He plundered seven birdies in his first nine holes in a round of five-under 68 and a breakthrough win. Bogeys at eight and nine brought Peake back to the field somewhat but he steadied with birdies at each of his final two holes, 12 and 13, to finish comfortably clear of Jarred McCosh (71) and Simon Houston (71).
Ryan won a second straight adidas PGA Pro-Am Series title in a dramatic finale at Port Hedland Golf Club.
Confident after his breakthrough win at Karratha last start, Ryan started the second round one stroke back of Hayden Hopewell but wasted no time in taking over top spot.
He shot 66, picking up birdies at four of his first six holes to move two clear of Hopewell (68).
At Broome, Ryan completed a clean sweep of WA’s north-west swing of the addias PGA Pro-Am Series with a two-stroke win at the Broome Furnishings – Carpet, Paint and Tile Pro-Am.
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