The Hunter River Times

BY ALEX TIGANI

Local golfer Matthew Dicks fought off blistery conditions to claim his second Bowers Heavy Haulage Singleton Open title on Sunday.

Dicks scored an impressive 71 in the A-Grade competition (replicating his previous victory in 2012) to hold off Nathan Bagnall (75) while Maitland’s Clayton Small (76) tied for third.

“Today was one for the old guys,” Dicks told The Hunter River Times.

“I remember four-putting the final hole in 2012 and thinking (that) that might have just cost me but in the end, I won that one by a shot.

“Today’s win was more unexpected because I was physically in a much better condition eight years ago.

“In the last few months, I haven’t particularly been playing as well due to elbow and back issues, so it was a little bit out of the blue to be honest.”

The 49-year-old was initially grouped with teenager Corey Lamb, a rising talent eyeing a third straight crown.

However, Lamb would pull out of the competition early this morning.

By the first hole, Dicks (playing alongside Craig Cooke and Aaron Upcroft) had a sense that the day may go his way.

“I held a chip for a birdie to begin with,” he recalled.

“From where I was, making a four was nearly impossible but I was able to turn what was probably going to be a five into a three.

“I then turned to the boys and they said ‘it might just be your day’.”

Singleton Golf Club captain Murray Considine admits he witnessed a highlight reel of fist bumps and par putts from Sunday’s winner Matthew Dicks.

“I don’t usually go a fist pump but going the last few holes I knew that I was right in it and I just rolled a few putts that I knew would be very important,” Dicks continued.

However, the two-time winner also acknowledged the absence of teenager Corey Lamb who appeared on track for his third straight win until his cancellation.

“He (Lamb) was in our group and I was kind of looking forward to playing with him because I was keen to see how his skills held up in this type of wind,” he explained.

“When I heard that he was not playing my immediate thought was that the winning score has just gone up three shots.”

The 49-year-old will now aim for his first Singleton Golf Club Championship title later this year after three runner up placings (including last year’s tournament).

“Dicksy had a cracking round,” this afternoon’s runner up Nathan Bagnall declared.

“A special mention should also go to Murray and everyone at the club because the course was in great condition today.”

Joshua Payne (83) was the B-Grade scratch winner while Aaron Goadsby (91) held off Matthew Maher (92) in the C-Grade category.