Golf: Hutson off to UK after strokeplay triumph

Mark Hutson and Amelia Garvey with their spoils after claiming the men and women's NZ Strokeplay Championship crowns in Hastings yesterday. PHOTO/www.bwmedia.co.nz

While helping golfers get their fix Mark Hutson watches countless flights arrive and depart at Auckland airport.

But the JK World of Golf employee will board a flight to the United Kingdom himself in May after winning the New Zealand Men's Strokeplay Championship in Hastings yesterday.

Hutson left his worse round of four until last but the Muriwai Golf Club member showed at Hastings Golf Club that building a cushion in the first three days as a leader means an amateur can afford to enjoy a little free falling when the pressure is on.

"The plan is to go play at the Irish Amateur, English Amateur, Scottish Amateur and the St Andrew's Links," said the 20-year-old before hitting the highway north after a five-stroke lead overnight had evaporated in the front nine before he stopped the rot in the final two holes to claim a two-shot victory.

The plus-three handicapper had a figure in mind when started the day but that soon gave way to simply trying to eke out a birdie or two to avoid calamitous dropping off of the lead.

His second national crown - the first was the South island Strokeplay three weeks earlier - was a timely confidence pill to travel aboard although nothing has changed his attitude towards turning professional in the next two years.

His goals include representing the country overseas as an amateur and clinching must-make moments.

"I'll be lying if I didn't say I was a bit nervous on the first nine, anyway, where I guess I kind of lost it," said Hutson, revealing he had difficulties sleeping on a lead for three nights but it was still the way he would have it.

"This is what I practise and play golf for. That's probably why most athletes play sport. They like that sort of adrenalin rush."

He was intending to catch up with his coach, Aaron Harding, of Takapuna, to celebrate.

In the women's equivalent, Amelia Garvey, of Canterbury, showed similar fortitude in etching her name in the Mellsop Cup with a six-shot victory over Chantelle Cassidy.

"I was hitting a lot of fairways today and putting myself in good spots to attack the pins, which meant I didn't have to do too much with my putter," said the 16-year-old England-born amateur who led from day one.