Lewis Hunt Clinches Club Championship on Back 18 Countback
The Club Championship always provides an excellent weekend of entertainment for members of Burstwick. The two-day, 36 hole event has seen some twists and turns over the years and 2015's was no different!
The forecast for the weekend was absolutely glorious and on day one Jack Maxey flew into the lead with his best ever competitive round, a level-par 70, to put him two ahead of Lewis on 72, and Danny Carrick on 76. One of the supposed contenders, Alan Key, played himself out of the competition on day one with a disappointing 82 meaning that it was up to the young guns to battle it out on Sunday.
On the final day Jack and Lewis were playing together in a four-ball which meant that the heat was on for a compelling match between them. After nine holes Lewis had overturned Jack's lead and distanced himself by two shots after shooting a 37 front nine, then going on to birdie the 10th hole. Jack wasn't giving up yet though, with a birdie on 12 he was back within reach of Lewis and determined for a strong finish.
Jack unfortunately made a bogey at 15 which put him three shots back, and they both made solid pars on the third hardest hole, 16. But then Lewis had a little wobble when he double-bogeyed the 17th, bringing Jack to within one shot of the lead.
Hole 18 is a tricky tee shot from the back tee, and Lewis found out the hard way when he pulled his into the water hazard. With Jack on the green in two Lewis knew what he needed to do, and proceeded to hit a fantastic wood onto the green, and two putting for a bogey, while Jack parred.
Agonisingly for Jack, this meant that they both tied on a total of 146, but Lewis' better second round meant that he was crowned Club Champion on count-back.
A huge congratulations to Lewis for his fantastic achievement at the tender age of just 14 years old, but equally a monumental pat on the back for Jack Maxey who, also 14 years of age, lost out so painfully. You both did yourselves extremely proud!
A special note also goes to Ben Almond, who won the Ted Key Trophy (net prize) with a score of 68+66=134, a great effort from the new member who only joined the club late last year! Well done Ben, we look forward to presenting you with the trophy!