Steven Cox, erased the memories of a loss in last year’s final, to win the 2018 A. H College Club Championship yesterday. Whilst it was his first at The Brisbane Golf Club it was the third Club Championship of his career.
20-year old, Cox defeated former PGA professional, Kurt Carlson 7 and 6 ending the scheduled 36-hole final on the 30thhole.
Both players battled tough conditions. Whilst the sun was out it was one of the coolest mornings of the year so far and when a strong westerly wind arrived mid-morning the course became hard, fast and very difficult.
It was Carlson who mastered the conditions early racing to a 3 up lead after the first seven holes.
The honours were shared on the next few holes before Cox won 2, 7, 8 and 9 to go ahead for the first time in the match at 1 up, a lead he would maintain at the break.
In qualifying, the quarter finals and the semi-finals, Cox had periods where he dominated and we witnessed this again during the final. Cox won 6 of the first 8 holes after the break to extend his lead to 7 up through 26 holes and this was a significant turning point. Carlson was able to get the deficit back to 5 with 8 holes to go after winning 6 and 3 but it wasn’t enough to keep the match alive after Cox birdied 17.
The final featured plenty of highlights. Carlson’s up and down on Hole 1 after the break from behind the trees was sensational and his play from the sand traps was a masterclass. For Cox almost driving the green on Hole 2 after the break showed off his length and his penultimate shot, from the cart path on the right-hand side of the fairway on 17 to ten feet, was no doubt one of the shots of the day.
Cox won through to the final defeating Dylan Barraclough 7 and 6 and Ilija Soldan 2 up.
Cox was Club Champion at North Lakes Resort Golf Club in 2014 and at Wantima Country Club in 2015.
Twelve months ago, Cox walked off the course with his head down after losing the final of the 2017 A.H. Club Championship to his former Queensland State Team member, Lawry Flynn 8 and 6.
Flynn was unable to defend his title due to other golfing commitments but is available for Pennants which is the next focus for BGC’s elite golfers. BGC will start their defence of their Division 1 pennant away against Royal Queensland Golf Club on Sunday, 15 July.
Six other finals were played on the day.
In the Seniors, Rob Tathem claimed his first Club Championship defeating Brett Kinninmont 5 and 3. In the A Grade Plate, Ryan Harris defeated Joel Negline 3 and 2. In B Grade, Joe Crunkhorn defeated Mark Haysom 1 up. In C Grade, Peter Murray defeated Alan Beddoe 1 up. The Byneset Trophy, our Club Championship for six day members, was won by Shannon Porter who defeated Simon Davis 2 and 1. Last but not least, Peter Peters defeated John Kelly in the Veteran Handicap Matchplay 2 up.
The Match Committee would like to thank our referees, Phil Fraser, Greg Mellifont, Bruce Nicol, David Prince, Alan Grieve, Alistair McNee and Lloyd Cotterill and also the many spectators who came out to watch and support each match.