DAVID HUTSELL LIFTS THE TOM UTTERBACK TROPHY FOR THE FOURTH TIME
In our Centennial year, we welcomed three-time Champion David Hutsell (Baltimore Country Club) back to the winner’s circle as he claimed his fourth MAPGA Section Championship victory. This win came ten years after his third Section Championship win in 2015.
David broke a nine-year streak of first-time winners of this event with his victory. He won by one shot over Ian McConnell after finishing with a three-day total score of -5, playing Bethesda Country Club and Lakewood Country Club. David shot all three rounds under par, with a 69-69-71. His second round 3-under par 69 at Lakewood in the rain might have been the round of the tournament.
David worked his way to a 3 stroke lead after a birdie on the short par 4 15th at Lakewood, but was pushed to the limit by McConnell. McConnell birdied 17 and 18, forcing Hutsell to make a nervy 10-footer for par on 18 to win. As it had all day, Hutsell’s putter came through as he confidently sank the putt to win for the 4th time.
Hutsell joins Rick Schuller as a 4-time winner of the Middle Atlantic Section Championship, trailing only Charlie Bassler, who was a 5-time winner in the 1950s.