Wicks wins on Jacksonville debut

David Wicks was victorious on his debut for Jacksonville University. Picture courtesy Leaderboard Photography

Bexhill-based Wicks, of Sedlescombe Golf Club, won the team and individual titles in the 2015 GolfWeek Program Challenge at True Blue Golf Club.

Jacksonville’s men’s team triumphed with a 30-under-par three-round score of 834 and Wicks clinched the individual medal thanks to a 13-under-par total of 203.

“I’m always confident going into tournaments, but I didn’t expect to come into my first tournament and win,” said Wicks. “Our main goal was to come in and win as a team and we accomplished that.”

Wicks had to par the final three holes to secure the individual championship, which he duly did after getting up and down at the 16th and holing a tricky five-footer at the 17th. He finished a shot clear of runner-up Ryan Cole, from the James Madison team.

“I’m pleased with the way I closed out,” added Wicks, who spent the past two years at Midland College in Texas. “I didn’t make many mistakes, that’s what it takes to win.”

Wicks may be new to Division I golf, but he’s no stranger to winning. He reached NJCAA All-American status as a freshman and went on to win seven events at Midland. His recipe to success was the same at True Blue: stay solid within 10 feet of the hole.

“That was crucial,” said Wicks, the 2014 Sussex amateur champion. “I struggled putting in qualifying, so it was nice to come out and roll the ball well and get the pace good on the greens.”

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