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Christian also won the under-17 Junior Club Championship, becoming the first player to win the Junior Club Championship and Men's Club Championship in the same year since 1984.
During the 36-hole final match on Labor Day, Christian was down six holes after 23. But he won eight of the next nine holes to go two up after 32 holes and held on to win the championship on the 35th hole.
“Christian’s opponent played some of the finest golf I have ever seen at any level, with two eagles and three birdies in his first 10 holes. However, it was Christian's perseverance that ultimately secured his victory,” Apawamis head pro James Ondo said.
“I can’t believe I was able to come back after a seemingly impossible situation after the 23rd hole, but I just stayed focused and played my game and it worked,” Christian said. “My grandparents joined this club 50 years ago, and I’ve played here since I was a little kid, so it is very special to win this event.”
A few days earlier, Thomas, 11, won the under-13 club championship by eight strokes with a score of 40 for the 9-hole event.
Thomas placed first or second in nine of 10 other Met PGA Junior and U.S. Kids Golf events over the summer. Christian placed first or second in every one-day Met PGA Junior tournament he played, and made the cut and placed fourth and eight in two Met PGA Junior Championships (71-75 and 72-78).
Christian also played in AGJA tournaments, making the cut and placing 28th in a three-day event in Vermont (74-73-79), and shot a 78 and 75 in two separate one-day events in Maryland.
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