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Oliver Betschart picks up second victory in Texas

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Oliver Betschart (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Oliver Betschart claimed his second victory on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour on Sunday.

The Bermudian shot a four-over 76 to pip Beckham Del Rosario, of Texas, by one shot for the title in the 18-hole tournament held at the Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club in San Antonio.

Betschart struggled on the front nine, where he carded four bogeys including back to back on the par-4 3rd and par-3 4th, and the 15-year-old amateur’s struggles continued after making the turn with additional bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes placing him at six over.

However, he finally managed to steady the ship, playing the remaining five holes at two under after rattling in birdies at the par-4 15th and par-518th holes, which was good enough to claim the title.

“It was a slow start, I started on the second hole and I couldn’t really get anything going until the back nine, where I made my first birdie on my 14th hole,” Betschart told The Royal Gazette.

“I stayed pretty consistent and did not do as well I wanted on the par 5s, which was a bit disappointing. I took a bit more risks and tried out a few new things that I am working on with my coach, but overall I felt I did pretty well and I am happy with my first-place finish.

“I won by one shot birdieing my second-last hole and all anybody sees is the end result and not the journey on the way.

“It’s a lot of emotions that go through the round. It can be difficult, it can be fun, it can be annoying and I think all golfers have that.”

The 2023 Moongate Tour Championship winner was forced to tweak his game plan to suit the conditions at the par-72 layout.

“Conditions were pretty good,” Betschart said. It didn’t rain or anything but the course was really wet from a storm that passed by overnight, so it made my strategy a little bit different, but other than that I think I had a solid round and enjoyed myself out there.”

Betschart captured his first win on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour at last month’s Texas Junior Open at the Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio and had momentum going into Sunday’s tournament after finishing second in his age group in an 18-hole event at Landa Park Golf Course the previous Sunday. He also finished third overall in the 36-hole Spring Break Classic that concluded at Lakecliff Golf Club two days later.

Darina Betschart (File photograph supplied)

Also enjoying success on Sunday was Betschart’s sister Darina, who finished runner-up in the girls 11-12 division behind winner Jessie Lee of Texas, who won by a comfortable eight shots.

It was the fourth successive podium finish for the 12-year-old at this level after claiming the girls 11-12 title at Landa Park and finishing second overall among girls aged 18 and under at Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin, Texas. She also finished third in her age group on her tour debut at Shadow Glen Golf Club last month.

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Published March 18, 2024 at 2:25 pm (Updated March 18, 2024 at 2:25 pm)

Oliver Betschart picks up second victory in Texas

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