MELBOURNE public school, St Kevin’s, has an enviable reputation for producing some of the country’s best cricketers, footballers and athletes.
But to our knowledge not too many champion golfers have emerged from the popular boys’ school.
That might change down the track judging by the performance of a young St Kevin’s student, Will Fitzpatrick, who has won the Portsea senior and junior championships in the space of a month.
After taking out back-to-back junior titles, 15 -year-old Will went one step further, when he triumphed over David French in the senior event.
Will’s win put him in elite company alongside seven other Portsea members who have won both the junior and senior championships in the same year.
He joined Ian Schlipalius (1961), Robert Scott (1968,1969), Craig Thompson (1982), Brad Meadows (1991), Craig Scott (1999, 2000), Ben Wharton (2004), and Andrew Moodie (2006).
It is thought Will became either the youngest or second youngest member to achieve the feat, in this, the club’s centenary year
But it was no easy task for Will in the final against David French who had beaten last year’s two young finalists Harry Ritchie and Kyal Baart in the quarter and semi-finals to reach his second club Championship final.
Will made the final by defeating Steve Dundon (this year’s Senior Club Champion) in the quarters before beating his best mate from St Kevin’s, 14-year-old Oscar Lonergan, on the 20th hole in his semi-final.
Predictably, the first 18 holes of the final were inspiring and appreciated by an enthusiastic gallery. David had four birdies and Will had three birdies and an eagle on the 11th, to be two up at lunch.
The match was evenly balanced and being played in a great spirit of friendliness between two young members.
The afternoon was always going to be a battle. David had a par on the 2nd after his drive went halfway up the hill towards the 3rd tee box. He won the hole after a magnificent chip shot to the pin.
Will immediately fought back and won the 3rd. His long drives put him in some great positions to attack the flag and David’s short game was superb.
After 27 holes, Will had a lead of five, but no-one was writing David off.
But with the composure of a player beyond his 15 years, Will, with his father Mark on the bag, put together some shots that increased the pressure on his opponent.
After a 318-metre drive on the 12th, Will chipped up close to the hole to win the match 8 and 6. The first to congratulate Will was his mother Kate, his grandfather and Portsea member, Mike Sheahan, and his grandparents on his father’s side, visiting from Queensland. Their joy was palpable.
The members at Portsea are so proud of Will, David and the club’s legion of emerging young players. It augurs well for the club’s future.
– Copy supplied by Portsea marketing manager Ed Nelson
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