Lincoln Newton claimed bragging rights over three family members and the rest of the field while winning the Triad Amateur on Sunday afternoon at High Point Country Club’s Willow Creek Course.
Newton, a rising junior at Oak Grove High who turned 17 this summer, shot 5-under-par 67 in the final round to post a 7-under-par 137 total for 36 holes, three shots better than fellow HPCC member Sean Finan, who recently completed his sophomore season at Lenoir-Rhyne College. Tripp Shelton of Bermuda Run was third at 143.
By sinking an 8-foot putt on the final hole, Newton capped the round with three consecutive birdies — the first coming after sticking an approach within 2 feet of the cup at the par-3 16th. He had seven birdies and two bogeys while leading throughout most of the day. Trevor Mitchell of Oak Ridge, the co-leader with Newton after the first round, stumbled to 75 Sunday.
Newton won in his first attempt at the Triad Amateur, held the past 11 years at Willow Creek. His gallery on the final holes included his parents and other extended family members, including his aunt, former UNC golfer and Jamestown Park pro Marcy Newton. At the conclusion of the tournament, family members posed in several combinations with Lincoln and the trophy,
“It was pretty nice to win this,” said Newton. “My ball striking was on point the whole week, really.”
The Newton family put on an impressive showing. The winner’s father, Scott, and older brother, Grady, tied for fourth with Trevor Blevins of Kernersville at 144. Ernie Newton, the winner’s grandfather, tied for sixth in the Senior division at 151.
Lincoln Newton said he typically shoots around “even-par” at Willow Creek. Despite earning bragging rights, he refused to claim the top spot in his family. Who’s the top Newton golfer?
“It can be any of us,” he said.
Dale Fuller of Durham successfully defended his title in the Senior division, adding 68 to a 67 Saturday to finish at 135. Harrison Rutter of Winston-Salem was second at 139.
The tees were listed at more than 7,000 yards for the open division, but some were moved up due to wet conditions caused by heavy rains in the past week. The 64-player field included 17 Seniors. HPCC director of golf Jim Brotherton said he would like to see the tournament grow to 96 players.
With the victory, Lincoln Newton continued a winning streak. He won the TYGA High Point Junior on July 18 at Oak Hollow. The next day, he teamed with grandfather Ernie to win the Carolinas Golf Association Father-Son at Longleaf in Southern Pines.
“This is a little bit bigger than that,” he said comparing the Triad Amateur to the TYGA victory.
This week, Newton will play at the Dogwood State Junior Boys Championship at Cedar Rock Country Club in Lenoir.
Sunday’s highlights included an ace by Jake Rutter of Charlotte with a 7-iron on the 179-yard No. 3 hole. Rutter tied for 11th at 147.
