SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Nick Hague cemented his dominance over the local golf scene Sunday afternoon, rallying on the back nine to win his eighth City Match Play title in the last nine years.
Hague, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and defending champion, edged No. 2 seed Mason Faucett in a dramatic final at Carey Park Golf Course. The match saw several momentum swings before Hague delivered a clutch stretch from holes 14 through 16 to erase a two-hole deficit and claim the title.
Faucett struck first with a birdie on No. 3 and extended his lead to 2 up after Hague missed a par putt at No. 8. But a wayward tee shot by Faucett on No. 9 led to a lost ball and cut the lead in half heading to the back nine.
After the players tied 10 and 11, Hague gave a shot back when he hit his tee ball out of bounds on No. 12, allowing Faucett to regain a 2-up advantage. They halved the 13th, setting up the turning point of the match.
Hague responded like a champion, playing holes 14 through 16 in two under par, including back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16, to square the match.
Both players parred No. 17, and Hague only needed to tie the 18th to secure the win. Faucett’s birdie attempt narrowly missed, and Hague held on to complete the comeback and secure another City Match Play championship.
The City Match Play was the first leg of Hutchinson’s summer golf championship series. Entries for the City Stroke Play, scheduled for Aug. 16-17, are now being accepted.