Report by Geoff Garnett

Prenton Golf Club’s 19-year-old star Craig Lewis showed great character to hold on to his lead through four rounds to win the Cheshire Championship by two strokes at Wallasey. With the lead changing hands several times over the opening ten holes of the final round Craig showed great composure over the last eight holes to emerge as a worthy county champion who will give a good account of himself in the National County Finals at Woodhall Spa later in the year.

The competition had seen the competitors have to battle through torrential rain and high winds before facing the final 36 holes on a relatively benign day.

Lewis went into the last round with a one-shot lead over Adam Wills (Sandiway) with five other players within five shots of the lead. During the first nine holes there were was a strong challenge from Philip Walker (Mere), who was five under par at one stage in the first nine holes before falling away. Also pressing hard were Adam Wills and Josh Sims (Caldy) with Josh having the best round of the tournament with a 67. A bogey on the tenth saw Lewis lose his lead but he showed great composure to roll in three birdies to get back in front on the 16th and two solid pars saw him home on 290 from Josh Sims and Adam Wills both 292.

The Sandiway team of Ashley Sage, Chris Harrison and Adam Wills will represent Cheshire in the County team finals after a winning total of 295 and the winner of the 0ver 35 age category was Philip Walker of Mere.

Craig Lewis also picked up the Darlington Cup as leading qualifier and the TPD Taylor Cup as the leading Colt.

Josh Sims was the winner of the Israel Sidebottom as the runner-up.

Round winners were Craig Lewis (rounds one and two), Rob Hearty (Bromborough) round three and Josh Sims in round four.

Cheshire Champion 2008 (Winner over 4 rounds, takes Championship Trophy, Armada Dish & Cheese) Craig Lewis (Prenton) with a score of 74+68+76+72=290 The Champion represents Cheshire in the English County Champions Tournament at Woodhall Spa on Saturday 20th September 2008	Craig Lewis with the Championship Trophy
Second in Championship: Israel Sidebottom Trophy (Takes Cup, Armada Dish & Cheese) Second: Josh Sims (Caldy) with a score of 75+74+76+67=292
Third in Championship (takes Armada Dish) Third: Adam Wills (Sandiway) with a score of 77+69+73+73=292
Leading Qualifier: Darlington Trophy (Leading qualifier over first 36 holes, takes Cup & Cheese) Winner:  Craig Lewis(Prenton) with a score of 74+68=142
Individual Round Winners (Take Armada Dish)     Score CSS 1st Round Craig Lewis 74 76 reduction only 2nd Round Craig Lewis 68 74 plus 1 3rd Round Rob Hearty 71 73 4th Round Josh Sims 67 73
Club Team Championship: (leading team with 2 scores from 3 over first 36 holes, takes Cup & Armada Dishes) Winners: Sandiway with a score of 295 Team Players: Chris Harrison, Ashley Sage & Adam Wills Runners-up:  Wychwood Park with a score of 304                       Prenton 304 Winners qualify for the English Champion Club Tournament at Wiltshire GC on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st August 2008	The Sandiway Team of Adam Wills, Chris Harrison & Ashley Sage
Over 35 Championship (Leading player age over 35, takes Armada Dish & Cheese) Winner: Phillip Walker (Mere) with a score of 75+71+77+70=293
Colts Championship: T P D Taylor Cup (Leading Colt age 22 or under, takes Cup, Armada Dish & Cheese) Winner: Craig Lewis (Prenton) with a score of 74+68+76+72=290

More pictures
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The prize table	The President with the three leaders in the Championship, Josh Sims (runner-up), Craig Lewis (champion) and Adam Wills (third)
Craig Lewis on the first tee	Craig Lewis putting on the 18th green
Phillip Walker	Josh Sims
Phillip Walker	The Deputy President, John Kidd, repairing divots
Ron Harrison

Pictures courtesy of Geoff Garnett