Former Jacksonville University (JU) star David Wicks of Bexhill, England defeated Devin Suri of St. Augustine 2&1 on Sunday, June 3 to claim the eighth Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) Match Play Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Other than losing to a Suri birdie on the first hole, the 24-year-old Wicks was never down again after he birdied the second hole to get back to all square. Wicks won Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 9 to take a 4-up lead heading to the back nine. Suri cut Wicks’ lead in half with wins on the 14th and 15th holes. The duo matched birdies on the par-5 16th and pars on the 17th hole, resulting in Suri extending a congratulatory hand shake to the Englishman.
Wicks, who graduated from JU in 2017 and is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration at the school, played the 17 holes of the championship match in 1 over on the 6,906-yard layout. In addition to becoming the eighth name engraved on the JAGA Match Play Championship trophy, Wicks was presented with a sterling silver engraved money clip from Underwood Jewelers and a $500 gift certificate to TPC Sawgrass. He plans to turn pro in September and attempt to qualify for the Web.com Tour.
For Suri, it was a repeat of his runner-up finish in last year’s JAGA Match Play tournament. The 22-year-old, who plays out of Southampton Golf Club and Sawgrass Country Club, fell last year to another golfer with JU roots, rising senior Sam Uhland, 1 up.
With semifinalist Matt Kleinrock electing not to play the third- vs. fourth-place match, Duke Butler IV claimed third place, with Kleinrock taking fourth. Defending champion Uhland won his first two matches before bowing to Butler, 4&2, in the quarterfinals.
Next on the 2018 JAGA tournament schedule is The Family Championship at WGV-Slammer & Squire on Sunday, June 10. Register at www.jaxareagolf.org, by clicking on the Family Championship link on the 2018 JAGA Schedule.
