Lewton strikes early Down Under - 24th Jan 2007

England international Stephen Lewton made a great start to his month in Australia by winning the 36-hole Avondale Medal in New South Wales.

The 23 year old from Woburn carded rounds of 72 and 68, the latter a record for the recently lengthened course, for 140, two under par, and a two-shot winning margin in an event which many internationals and top-ranked Australian amateurs use in preparation for this week‘s Lake Macquarie International.

Four players finished on 142, England’s Matthew Cryer, who also finished with 68, and Australians Richie Gallichan, Matthew Giles and John Lee. But Gallichan took the runners-up spot on countback with 34 to Cryer’s 35 over the back nine.

Despite playing two rounds in a day in temperatures of 100 degrees on a tight but superbly maintained course it suited Lewton who was used to such conditions from his days at college in the United States.

Of the other England internationals in the field, David Horsey finished tenth on 146 with Gary Wolstenholme a stroke further back.

Like many more, the England quartet used the Avondale event as a warm-up for this week’s prestigious Lake Macquarie International at Belmont, won last year by Surrey’s Adam Gee, now a professional.

Lewton, who made his full England debut in last September’s Home Internationals in Wales, has struck first but with all the England players making solid starts down under there is promise of more success ahead.

Leading final scores:
140 S Lewton (Eng) 72 68
142 R Gallichan (Aus) 74 68
142 M Cryer (Eng) 74 68
142 M Giles (Aus) 73 69
142 J Lee (Aus) 68 74
Other scores:
146 D Horsey (Eng) 73 73
147 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 72 75

Related Links

• http://www.englishgolfunion.org

All news for Bedfordshire | Local News Homepage