It’s been 42 years since David Bagust won a NSW Amatuer Men’s Championship and on Thursday night at Duntryleague, the Port Macquarie product did it again.
The 63-year-old scraped past hometown hero Robert Payne on the fourth playoff hole as the pair couldn’t be split until after 7pm.
While he played some good golf throughout the first 18 holes, he well and truly saved his best for last and attributed the win to some cracking shots from close range.
“I chipped and put like I was born with a 60-degree wedge in my hand,” Bagust said.
“I got very very lucky with a lot of shots… in the regulation 18 holes I hit the green three times and in four playoff holes I hit the green three times.”
Many athletes would wilt under the extreme pressure of a playoff situation but Bagust was cool as a cucumber throughout the overtime format.
“I don’t really get nervy,” he said.
“I just try to stay calm and relaxed with a few breathing exercises. I played nervy at times and missed a lot of fairways and a lot of greens.”
Bagust held the lead going into the third day of action but was pegged back by Robert Payne, John Fearnley and Peter Kirwan as all four progressed to the playoffs.
While the latter two were knocked out on the first hole, the aforementioned duo stuck around for a further three.
The victory will give Bagust qualification into the 2021 Senior Open where he’ll have the chance to play against the likes of Peter Lonard.
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below …