Aylwin Takes Home Second Championship
Kevin Aylwin won his second State Championship of the year capturing the boys 16-18 age division of the Junior Match Play Championship.
Playing at Eagle Creek Golf Club, Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach, won five matches en route to claiming the boys 16-18 age division Championship bracket. Since winning the Public Links Championship at Eagle Creek two weeks ago, Aylwin was familiar with the course. “I had a lot of confidence,” said Aylwin. “I felt like I knew the course like the back of my hand.” After earning the second seed with a 67 in the seeding round, Aylwin won his first match 4 and 2 and continued on to win his second match 6 and 5. In his quarterfinal match versus Louis Amira, of Valrico, Aylwin came back from three down to win the match on the 19th hole. “I just kept telling myself not to quit,” said Aylwin. “I made a couple of birdies and pars to come back.” Facing Pete Kellermann, of Jacksonville, in the semis, Aylwin was also three down but managed to come back and win the match 2 up. Play was suspended for the day when Kellermann was 1 up through 13 holes. With an early Thursday morning start, Aylwin made pars on the final five holes to advance to the Championship. “I wanted to make it worthwhile for getting up so early,” said Aylwin, who made the 1 hour and 20 minute drive every day. In the final match against Amit Odaiyar, of Bradenton, Aylwin started ahead and was three up after nine holes. “It was nice to get out to a good start and not have to come from behind like previous matches,” said Aylwin. Aylwin was 4 up through 12 holes 
when play was suspended for a brief weather delay. Odaiyar made birdies on holes 13 and 14 and they halved the next two holes. On the 17th hole, Odaiyar hit his tee shot four feet from the hole while Aylwin was just short. Odaiyar missed his birdie putt and Aylwin secured par to win the match 2 and 1. “This whole experience was exhausting,” said Aylwin about the long days. “The course maintained great conditions throughout the tournament.” Next up, Aylwin will attempt for a third State Championship next week in the Amateur Match Play Championship at Sawgrass Country Club.
In the Hogan Bracket, Sean Metcalf, of Celebration, defeated Parker Clowers, of Jacksonville, 5 and 3 in the final match. Brendan Iler, from Palm Beach Gardens, upset top seed Nick Jamison, of Stuart, after sinking a 15 foot putt on the 18th hole to win the Jones Bracket. Iler won both his semifinal match and final match 1 up. The Snead Bracket wrapped up on Wednesday with Billy Stevens, of Venice, emerging as the Champion. In the final match, Stevens beat Sean McAlpin, of St. Petersburg, 2 and 1 to win the bracket.
.jpg)
Eagle Creek, a par 73, was designed by Ron Garl
featuring dramatic bunkers reminiscent of those found in Scotland and England.
DEFENDING CHAMPION
