By MATT NICHOLLS
TIM MURRAY’S dominance on the Armidale golf course continued on Sunday as he went on to win the men’s club championship for the third year in a row.
Murray carded his worst round on the final day, shooting a three-over 75, but had a big enough lead to win by eight strokes.
“I think I was just a bit nervous,” Murray said of his final round jitters.
“Trying to go for three wins in a row was a bit nerve-racking.”
Murray, who also won the championship in 2009, became the first man since Neil Bullen in 1997 to win Armidale’s major tournament three times in a row.
The only other person to acheive the feat was the legendary Jim Sheed.
Murray credited his short game for his success.
“I got up and down a lot, which made a big difference,” he said.
“I didn’t hit a double bogey across the four rounds, either, so that helped.”
Second in the men’s championship was Gary Emery, who defeated Craig Hyde in a playoff.
Armidale Golf Club president Vanessa Ward took advantage of her grasp on the women’s championship, extending her lead to win by 15 strokes.
It was her second championship victory in as many years.
In accepting the Hickson Memorial Cup, Ward paid tribute to greenskeeper Brett Woodwood, who kept the course in top shape after the dry summer.
Second in the women’s championship was Amanda Carr, while Jan Kirk won the nett prize.
