Former pro Tom Sherreard got the one he “really wanted” in claiming his first Kent county title at Wildernesse.
The 33-year-old, who finished tied for 19th at the 2008 Open at Birkdale as an amateur, got off to a quick start in the final against Jack Shipton (Royal St Georges) before seeing things out in excellent style at the 15th.
The Kings Hill player, who returned to the amateur ranks in 2017 after six years as a professional, had to overcome some tough opponents to win the title for the first time. Kent are national county champions and boast some serious strength in depth at the moment.
Against Jack, he was four up after eight, a lead which brings a different type of dilemma.
Tom said: “I think it’s fair to say Jack got off to a shaky start and I was thinking do I stick or twist? You want to win by as many as you can but going for it can bring its own problems.
“And it’s rare you win it 8&7 or 7&6 because normally your opponent will have a good patch and that’s just what happened.”
The St Georges youngster won nine and 11 but was hit by a double whammy on 12 and 13. First he three putted when he looked hot favourite to win another back and then on the next his opponent drained one from 35 feet for a birdie to go back to three up with five to play.
“That was a real turning point,” said Tom. “I was struggling on 12 and he really let me off and then to hole from that long on the par three really was the critical blow.”
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The match was over on the 15th as Jack three putted from 40 feet.
After a relatively comfortable last 16 win over Wrotham Heath’s George Young, Tom had a real battle in both the quarter and semi-finals.
His last eight opponent Miles Gray (Etchinghill) took him to extra holes, both players birdieing the 18th to finish their rounds on four under but Miles found himself out of position at the second extra hole and could not get up and down. Tom was on in two and two putted from 20 feet.
The following morning Tom’s opponent, the left hander Oliver Lewis-Perkins (Mid-Kent), made an excellent birdie on 17 to level the tie but at the par five 18th found the trees with his drive and could only make six. However the Kings Hill player left himself with a 10-foot par putt to reach the final after finding the putting surface with his third but made no mistake with the par putt.
On Friday heavy rain curtailed qualifying. The 59-strong field were only able to play 18 with standing water appearing on the greens in the afternoon.