Oct. 25, 2011
WASHINGTON - Since he graduated from Georgetown in 2002, former men's golfer Tristan Lewis has relied on the lessons he learned on the Hilltop, both on and off the course. While he has not been able to play as much as he would like, those lessons were helpful last week as he won the men's club championship at the Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey.
Lewis, playing in the event for the first time, shot a two-round score of 2-over par 142, with an impressive final round score of 2-under par 68 to win the tournament.
In winning, Lewis topped a field not only at one of the most challenging golf courses in the country, but also won at a place that has family significance for him. Lewis' father, Bob, was the captain of the United States Walker Cup teams in 2003 and 2005 and owns the course record at Pine Valley.
"It's a really special place and I consider it a great privilege to be able to spend time there," Lewis said over the phone from his office in Cleveland, where he is a partner at Objective Capital Management.
Lewis won by three shots and had entered the final round of play in second place, but felt he was still in position for a chance to win.
"I did feel like I had a good chance," Lewis said. "I was in the last group the second day. I felt like if I could keep it around those two guys, then I'd be in pretty good shape. I got off 2-under through eight holes and the guy leading was even, so I had gotten two or three shots back going into the back nine."
And that's where some of the lessons he learned under Head Coach Tommy Hunter came into play.
"To have had the chance to play collegiate golf was a tremendous experience," Lewis said. "It's something that never leaves you. To be in that competitive environment, it gives you a great base for competing in the amateur world.
"It's a different game for me now, but I feel like I've matured as a player getting older. The mental game is still the same as it was when I played at Georgetown and that has stuck with me."
Lewis was a captain during the 2002 season and was named the team's most valuable player in 2001. He continued playing following his graduation and qualified for the United States Mid-Amateur Championship in 2006.
"I have played off and on (since graduating)," Lewis said. "I've tried to keep my game up. I haven't practiced as much, and it's challenging with kids, and my approach to the game is different. If I can hit balls once or twice a week and play once a weekend, that's pretty good for me."
Lewis was especially pleased to have played well at a course that has such special meaning to him and his family.
"It was a great feeling," Lewis said. "I've been going to Pine Valley with my dad for quite some time. It's a special place for us both and it was great to be able to play well."
