A new Armidale Open champion was crowned on Saturday with Brett Woodward ousting the reigning champion Tim Murray.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the open men’s division, Woodward chased down Murray to claim the lead and the title.
Woodward had a slight advantage in knowing the course better than any of the day’s competitors.
"Tim Murray shot the early lead, he shot one under par but then Brett Woodward, who is our greenkeeper and plays off +2, came in at three under par so he beat Tim by two shots,” golf coach Andrew Walkley said.
"He has very good knowledge of the ground, he was out setting the holes that morning.”
Walkley said Woodward could have won by an even bigger margin.
"He bogeyed the last two holes so it could have been even better,” he said.
"He is a pretty handy golfer, he used to play college golf in America.
"I think he did a little bit of practice leading into this which probably helped, he doesn't play very often but he is pretty naturally talented.”
Against golfers from over the border and the state’s capital, Rebecca Robinson made it a double win for Armidale locals when she took out the women’s division one title.
In the men’s B grade, it came down to a three way playoff between Kevin Marshall, Grant Uphill and Dean Sharpe with Marshall landing the victory.
Gaye Johnson was the best of the women’s division two and William Osland won the men’s C grade. One hundred and ten people took part in the annual competition.
"Everyone thought it was a great weekend,” Walkley said.
"Sunday was a bit of a flop but Saturday was a good day and everyone seemed to have a really good time and the course was in really good condition, it has dried out pretty well now.”