DARRYN Jenkinson has taken home the 2019 Stawell Golf Club championship on Saturday after a brilliant come from behind win.
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Jenkinson went into the final round two shots behind David Hunter and equal with Josh Kelly.
Jenkinson won four shots clear from Hunter and Kelly after the final round.
The fairway was quiet for the first few holes as the seeded group – which included Des Pickford, got their nerves under control and focused on the mammoth task ahead.
Jenkinson found his rhythm early – using his long drive to his advantage.
“My driver worked well,” he said.
“It paid off on most holes, not all of them but I hit it pretty good off the tee.”
Jenkinson’s long driving was to his detriment on the seventh hole when he bombed a massive drive out of bounds.
Returning to the tee and playing his third shot, that five minutes of play could have been the undoing of what eventuated in a fairy-tale ending.
“I tried to not over hit the ball,” he said.
“As soon as I tried to, I started spraying them a bit.”
Jenkinson managed consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th hole – his opponents struggled to keep their nerves with only a few shots between the group.
It was on the 16th hole when Jenkinson could of lost his rhythm, failing to find his tee shot.
Players and spectators searched for the ball in the trees on the right of the fairway, Jenkinson failed to find it within the three minute time limit.
“I thought I was done then,” he said.
“I don’t really know how I managed to hold my nerve and keep going.”
Jenkinson kept it together and managed a six on the hole – a sign there was no way he was going to let the lead he had gained go.
With a crowd cheer as his final putt sank – Jenkinson sighed with relief as he could finally relax for the first time in about four hours.
“It means a lot to win the championships,” he said.
“I’ve been playing for about 15 years and to see that honour board and see who’s on there – it is an honour to have my name up there with the best golfers at the club.”
Jenkinson also won the A Grade handicap division by 12 shots from club captain Richard Hackwill.
B Grade champion for 2019 was Ian Hyslop on 240 – four shots clear of Joe Dunn, 244.
Tony Rathgeber’s first round career-best score helped secure the B Grade handicap trophy with a score of 206.
Rob Freeland was runner up on 210 – also taking home the B reserve scratch trophy with 255.
Rob Blachford won the C Grade championships and Laurie Evans trophy for the second year in the row while Craig Eckel won the C Grade handicap event.
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