Sutton wins wild Wayne County Mens Amateur

By Ryan Hancett
Published in Sports on July 11, 2011 1:47 PM

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Lionel Sutton had been in a heated battle before with the Wayne County Men's Amateur golf tournament championship on the line.

On Sunday his experience paid off.

Sutton overcame a nine-stroke deficit and pulled off the biggest comeback in tournament history to win the Open Division on the first hole of a sudden death playoff with Clark Rose. Sutton's three-day total of 214, paired with his par on the final hole led to the victory.

"I have been around golf enough to know that anything can happen," Sutton said. "I just wanted to go out and shoot a good round and hopefully put some pressure on the guys ahead of me."

Sutton fired a round of 69 at Walnut Creek Country Club on Sunday and made the playoff when Rose, the leader after the second round, carded a 78.

Rose then found trouble off the tee to open the playoff and Sutton calmly placed his drive in the middle of the fairway. Rose played his second shot into a greenside bunker and watched as Sutton found the back of the green and put himself in position to win. Two putts later Sutton was picking up the trophy.

"I got a little over-aggressive with the first putt," Sutton said. "My last thought was not to leave it short. Luckily the second putt was straight up the hill and I was able to make it."

The victory was the third career title at the amateur for Sutton.

Rose finished second and was followed by Stan Adams and Dane Jones.

In the Senior Division it was Tim Rose who emerged victorious following a final round 75 which completed a three-day score of 215. Jeffrey Jackson came home second two shots back and Phillip Mobley finished in third place.

John Zambelli captured the Super Senior Division title with a final round 67 as part of a 211 total. Sprunt Hill took home second place 11 shots off the lead and Joe McLamb finished in third place.

"I really feel like this was one of the best tournaments we have ever had," tournament organizer Parker King said. "We had a lot of guys play great golf and give themselves a chance to win. That is all we can ask for."

Andy's Cheeseburgers was the primary sponsor of the event which was played at Lane Tree Golf Club, Goldsboro Municipal Golf Club and Walnut Creek Country Club. Next year the tournament will rotate courses with Southern Wayne Country Club hosting the opening round and Walnut Creek falling out of the rotation.

"I can not say enough about all of the sponsors that make this event possible," King said. "All of the people who donate their money and their time to build this tournament really go above and beyond what we ask of them every year."