Arman Newton saved the best for last to win the Fecchio Cup in dramatic fashion on the final hole at Turtle Hill Golf Course yesterday.

The Saltus Grammar School student was trailing leader Johnny Bart by one shot heading to the last but buried a 20-foot birdie putt on the final green.

With the pressure on, Bart missed his ten-foot par putt to force a play-off, which secured a maiden title for Newton by one shot at 13-over 121.

“It feels great. It's a tough tournament. There are a lot of big players in it and the course isn't easy,” an elated Newton told The Royal Gazette.

“Johnny put up a great fight. He’s a really good golfer and it was really tough beating him today by one on the last.”

The 16-year-old had his work cut out having started the second and final round five shots adrift of overnight leader Bart (122) and was equal to the task.

“I played really, really bad the first day; didn't get any putts to drop,” Newton said. “It was tough and Johnny had a pretty solid day.

“I came in today with no expectations really and just wanted to play my best golf and see what happens.

“I tried to get aggressive because obviously I needed to make the five shots up. I shot even and Johnny was five over on the front so I made the five shots up on the front.

“I had a solid front nine. I hit a lot of greens but didn't get a lot of putts to drop.

“On the back, in my head I just wanted to stay away from big mistakes and play steady golf but obviously that did not happen.

“The wind picked up a lot on the back nine and the course was playing really, really tough. I had a few shaky holes but sinking the birdie putt on 18 secured the win.”

Newton carded the low round of 60, the lowest of the 36-hole tournament, which included two birdies either side of the turn.

Lewis MacFarlane (124) also trailed leader Bart by one shot heading to the last, which he doubled bogeyed after his tee shot landed short of the green and he was unable to get up and down to save par.

Also capitalising on Bart’s late wobble was St George’s Cup Match cricketer Isaiah O’Brien (122), who pipped him for second on retrogression.

O’Brien’s conservative approach in the trying conditions ultimately paid off.

“It was pretty hard with the greens being two-paced and the very windy conditions,” he said.

“I overcame that by settling for the par and if I get anything under that take that as a bonus and walk away from each hole with my head held high.”

Charles Smith (131) won the White Division (12 to 14 years) by five shots, with Damian Moniz (136) second and Fletcher Logie (138) third.

Jacob Garrett won the Gold Division (under 11) with 98 stableford points, with Leu Sund (97) second and Cyril Jones (88) third.

Bradford Laing (131) won the Red Division (10 to 12 years) by 18 shots, with Joshua Cann (149) and Lorcan McGlynn (163) rounding out the top three.

Thomas Troughton claimed honours in the Yellow Division (11 years) with 90 stableford points, with Poppy Parry (72) taking second and Zara Soutter (71) third.

Darrin Lewis, the tournament director, summed up this year’s event.

“The Fecchio Cup 2025 was a tremendous success with 43 players across five divisions,” he said.

“It was very well attended and also well attended by parents. We also had good support from some of our local pros that were involved. That was good for some of our younger children to see as well and to assist in the running of the tournament. Kudos to Turtle Hill for accommodating us.

“We had two really good days of weather. Yesterday was beautiful. Today, there was a bit more breeze to test the players but all in all for it to come down to the final hole in the final round was tremendous.

“Overall, a very successful tournament for the Bermuda Golf Association and definitely very promising for the direction our junior programme is going.”