North-West golfer Craig Hancock has withstood a late charge from the new course record-holder to claim the Tamar Valley Championship.
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Nathan Gatehouse broke the previous one-day old mark – which Hancock was one of two players to hold it – at Greens Beach to mount a challenge with a resurgent last-round 68 on Sunday.
But Hancock, a two-time Tasmanian amateur champion in 2005 and 2007, carded a one-under 70 on the final 18 holes to win the A-grade title by one stroke from the ex-Australian touring professional playing out of Hobart.
Hancock shot an opening 69, but battled over Saturday afternoon on the next nine holes to fall three behind Mowbray golfer James Pyke.
But a poor front nine left the overnight leader eight shots off the pace following a disappointing 79 final round.
Defending champion Jack Tregaskisjago took out third place, six shots behind the new 2017 winner.
The Prospect Vale player putted in for a 73 on Sunday after tying with the eventual winner on the first 18 holes to set the best recorded score at Greens Beach on Saturday.
Launceston’s Mitch van Noord had to be content with a four-over 75 to finish a further shot behind two-time Tamar Valley winner Tregaskisjago.
Prospect Vale talent Ryan Thomas shot a 73 on the final 18 holes to win this year’s junior championship.
Thomas won by two shots, overtaking overnight leader Joey Bower, of Royal Hobart, who finished with a 76.
Thomas’s clubmate Ronan Filgate finished a further six strokes behind after shooting an 80 in Sunday’s round.