Hunter Golfer Josh Fuller Claims NSW Amateur Title with Dominant 10-Stroke Victory
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Hunter region golfer Josh Fuller has clinched the prestigious NSW Amateur Championship title in Sydney. The 24-year-old from Muswellbrook, who plays out of The Vintage Golf Club, described the hard-earned victory as the best win by far in his burgeoning career.
A Week of Matchplay Culminates in Final Dominance
Fuller's path to glory involved navigating four intense knockout rounds at Oatlands Golf Club before reaching Saturday's 36-hole final. His journey through the matchplay stages saw him overcome opponents including Glenelg's Kade Bryant, Concord's Blake Phillips, The Grange's Blair Christie, and Keperra's Ben Dowling.
The championship decider pitted Fuller against Adam Baillie from The Vines in what would become a showcase of Fuller's exceptional form. After finding himself one stroke down through the first three holes, Fuller immediately rebounded and took the lead by the sixth hole, maintaining control throughout the remainder of the contest.
Commanding Performance Seals the Championship
Fuller's dominance became increasingly apparent as the final progressed. He surrendered only three of twenty-eight holes while winning thirteen, building a five-stroke advantage by the turn. An impressive run during the third nine extended his lead to nine strokes before he ultimately secured a commanding 10 & 8 victory with a birdie on the par-three tenth hole.
"I expected to contend, but to win, it's always amazing," Fuller told Golf NSW media following his triumph. "I haven't won for a fair few years now, and to win the state amateur - my state amateur - it's really nice. This is my best win by far."
Family Support and Immediate Future Plans
The victory held special significance for Fuller, who had family members present to witness his championship performance. "They haven't seen me win yet, so to be able to watch me win has been very special," he shared.
Fuller now heads directly to Perth to compete in the Australian Amateur Championship, which commences on Tuesday. This national tournament represents another opportunity for the Hunter golfer to build upon his recent success and add to his growing list of achievements.
Previous Success and Women's Championship Results
While this marks Fuller's first major victory in several years, he is no stranger to tournament success. His previous accomplishments include winning the Tasmanian Amateur Championship in 2023, the Tasmanian Open in 2021, and the Concord Cup in 2021.
In the women's division of the NSW Amateur Championship, Wollongong's Lara Thomsen emerged victorious after a grueling 35-hole marathon against 13-year-old clubmate Sophie Tong. Thomsen, whose previous best result was a semi-final appearance at Belmont, described her win as her biggest achievement so far in competitive golf.
Both Fuller and Thomsen now join the ranks of NSW Amateur Championship winners, with Fuller particularly proud to have claimed his home state title in such convincing fashion. His dominant performance throughout the tournament, culminating in the 10-stroke final victory, demonstrates the Hunter golfer's growing prowess on the national amateur circuit.
