CONSISTENCY has scored Wentworth golfer Matt Williamson his first A grade club championship crown.
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Taking on club powerhouse Craig Coles in the final of this year’s event on Sunday, Williamson gained an early lead and eventually headed his far more experienced opponent 7 and 6 to claim his maiden club championship in his second attempt.
Williamson got a taste of the pointy end of the Wentworth Club Championship in 2010 but lost his first final 9 and 8 to an on-fire Craig Stojanovic.
But Williamson, 30, believes a more consistent game brought about a break-through victory on Sunday.
“Second time lucky,” Williamson quipped.
“I means a lot though. Me and the family have spent a bit of time up there. We play in this competition every year. To win it, it’s a bit of a monkey off the back. Hopefully I can do it again next year.
“I’ve been playing a lot more consistently this year ... I think that’s how I’ve won it.”
Williamson said he didn’t feel comfortable with his lead until he reached the last nine of 36 holes.
“I think I was six up then,” he said.
“I just thought to myself make a few pars. It was tough. I had to play really well.
“Colesy probably didn’t have his best day on the course, but that’s golf.”
Williamson wasn’t alone on the winner’s dias at Wentworth on Sunday however, with Chris Lynch, Nick Bolton and Frank O’Neil all celebrating club championship victories.
Lynch edged Adam Freeman 5 and 4 to claim the A reserve title, Bolton hung on to defeat Doug Westcott 3 and 2 in B grade while O’Neil capped a brilliant C grade campaign to record a 9 and 8 final win over Nick Ellice.
At Duntryleague, Craig Stojanovic recorded a two up victory over defending champion Robert Payne in the A grade semi-final.
Stojanovic will play Andrew Campbell in next Sunday’s final, with Campbell qualifying courtesy of an 8 and 7 semi-final win over Paul Collins.
Following two nail-biting A reserve semi-finals, John Clyde will tackle Craig Griffiths in the decider.
Griffiths beat Rob Williamson two up while Clyde knocked off David Parfitt one up to progress into the final.
In more comfortable circumstances Sandro Rossetto (7 and 6 over Michael Lenon) and Ian Paine (7 and 5 over John Farquarson) progressed to the B grade decider and David Cantwell (one up over Andy Royal) and Trevor Williams (one up on 19th over Ron King) will play-off for the C grade title.