Sydney's Andy Honeysett has broken through for his first Australian Deaf Golf Championship – and he did it the hard way.
Honeysett, who plays off a handicap of 1.5, took two playoff holes to edge past state and national teammate Luke Ellis at Prospect Vale Golf Club in Tasmania.
It was Honeysett's first national crown after five attempts across seven years and the Kogarah Golf Club member work doubly hard having had to card a fine third-round 74 just to reach the playoff after spotting Ellis two strokes through 36 holes.
Ellis, who plays off a 0.1 handicap at Pymble, was a teammate of Honeysett when Australia lifted the world teams crown in Ireland last year.
In the women's division, it was a different story for newly crowned champion Christine Shin, who comparatively coasted to an 11-stroke victory.
Shin, 19, who arrived in Australia from New Zealand 12 years ago, carded scores of 81-84-83 to take the crown home to Castle Hill Golf Club, beating Debbie Byrnes of Port Kembla Golf Club.
And the good news kept coming for New South Wales, which won the concurrent men's and women's team events, both in a canter.
A record total of 45 golfers entered the event held over three days, a figure that delighted Therese Pierce, the newly elected president of Deaf Golf Australia.
"We were fortunate to have had near perfect golf weather over the three days and to manage the event successfully with a higher than expected number of golfers," she said.
"Congratulations to all the winners, but also to every golfer who participated at the championships.
"A huge note of thanks must go to the Tasmanian Government and Golf Australia for sponsoring the championships and to Country Club Tasmania for the great support we enjoyed.
"We look forward to the next championships which will be held at the Royal Pines resort in August 2021."