WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The 36-hole match play final of the 100th Watertown Men’s City Golf Championship was on tap Sunday at the Thompson Park Golf Course, pitting the man with the most city golf titles against a young gun looking for his first.

It was 9 a.m. Sunday morning and for the 24th time, Bobby Hughes was playing in the championship final.

He was looking for a 15th title as he faced Josh Woodward, who’s looking to join his brother, Tyler, as a champion.

Woodward drew first blood by sinking a putt for birdie to take the first hole.

Hughes has an answer on the third hole as he goes dead center into the cup. They were all even after three holes.

On the fourth hole, Hughes with some bad luck as a short putt lips out. This would be a story from Hughes throughout.

Woodward takes advantage to go 1 up in the match.

On the fifth hole, it’s eagle time as Woodward’s approach shot goes onto the green and into the cup. He’s now 2 up.

It’s the shot of the day as Woodward executes it to perfection.

But Hughes bounces back on the seventh hole, first hitting the flag stick with the chip and then birdying the hole, cutting Woodward’s lead to 1.

Woodward, though, sinks a putt on the eighth hole to go back up 2.

But Hughes bounces back on the next hole to cut Woodward’s lead back to one.

Hughes then begins the second nine with the birdie putt, evening the match.

The two golfers would be even through 18.

After the break, Hughes opens up the afternoon session by almost holing out the chip, going 1 up.

But Hughes will struggle with putting and for a time iron play.

Woodward showing great touch throughout this match. A chip to the green on the 26th hole is impressive.

Woodward will sink a putt on hole 27, moving 3 up at this point on Hughes…

Then, on the next hole, it’s Woodward again, going 4 up on Hughes.

Woodward will close out this match in style, defeating Bobby Hughes 5 and 4 and winning his first Watertown Men’s City Golf Championship.

“The golf is great,” Woodward said. “We’re all competitors, we’re athletes, but I think having my name set with a lot of those guys who have had an impact on my life means a lot more than winning any golf tournament. I started to feel a little better feel-wise late. Putter felt a lot better. I kind of adjusted to the greens better towards the end of the day. I kind of joked with my brother, I’m a night golfer. As it got a little bit later, I don’t think there’s any coincidence that the putts started going.”

“I struggled all day with the putter,” Hughes said. “I struggled with my swing all day. I fought it all day and just never seemed to get anything going. No rhythm. But not to take away from the way Josh played. He played great, he was more consistent than I was. He’s a deserving winner.”

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