Lester misses out in amateur championship play-offs
Hermitage Golf Club’s Rowan Lester was unlucky to lose out on the top prize, as he lost a thrilling play-off in the South of Ireland Amateur Championship at Lahinch Golf Club.
The Hermitage golfer has had a most impressive season, having won three titles in the US where he represents Texas Wesleyan University.
Hermitage golfer Rowan Lester in action in Lahinch
In the first round he saw off Birr Golf Club’s Michael Horan 3/2, before also defeating Laytown and Bettystown’s David Foy 6/4 in the second and Jack Blake from The Island Golf Club in Limerick was dispatched 4/3 in the third round.
Next up in the Quarter-Finals was last year’s winner of the East of Ireland Championship, Reece Black of Hilton and Templepatrick Golf Club, with the Lucan man edging a tight contest by one single hole.
A 3/2 Semi-Final win against Jack McDonnell of Forest Little Golf Club, set up a final duel against fellow Irish teammate and Dundalk golf club member Caolan Rafferty.
The Hermitage golfer was leading by two strokes after five holes in the final round, but by the 12th, he and Rafferty had drawn level.
Nothing could separate the two by the end of the 18th hole, so a play-off was needed to decide the overall winner once and for all.
Stalemate
So both players traipsed back to the first tee, and stalemate still ensued as they once again faced the second hole.
But sadly this was to be where it ended for Lester, as Rafferty holed his birdie putt to win the hole and the event.
While it is obviously disappointing to have lost, it is a tremendous achievement to have reached the final of such a prestigious event – on his current form, it will not be the last final he has appeared in.
TAGS Sport
