Hermitage’s Rowan Lester. Picture: Pat Cashman

Hermitage’s Rowan Lester became the sixth Irish winner of the Nassau Invitational when he beat Brad Tilley 2&1 in a high qualify final in New York on Sunday.

The Dubliner qualified in joint second when he made three birdies and six bogeys in three-over 73 in cool, windy conditions on the famously slick greens at Nassau Country Club on Long Island to finish one stroke behind Trevor Randolph, the 2017 champion.

Scores

Naas’ Robert Brazill finished 22nd in qualifying with an eight-over 78.

Lester then beat Brad Barnett, Jordan Claffey and Adam Pecora before defeating Tilley — winner of a host of major events in New York and New Jersey area, including this year’s New York State Mid-Amateur Championship — 2&1 in a quality final.

Dunmurry’s Darren Crowe became the first Irish winner of the Nassau Invitational in 2004 and was followed by Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney (2007), Portstewart’s Paul Cutler (2009) and Naas duo Jack Hume (2014) and Conor O’Rourke (2016).

Naas’ Jonathan Yates almost made it three wins for Naas but lost to Randolph in the final in 2017.

The win is a welcome one for Lester, who endured a serious wrist injury last year and found form too late after a long lay off to retain his place in the Irish team for the Home Internationals.

He battled for his spot right to the end, finishing as the leading points winner in Leinster’s Interprovincial Championship win at Tullamore with five and a half points out of six.

The Nassau Invitational is played at Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where the famous "One Dollar Nassau" bet originated — a dollar on the front nine, a dollar on the back nine and a dollar on the overall match.

It is "arguably the oldest amateur event in the US" and which has been held annually (with some interruptions) at Nassau Country Club since 1897.

"It was won by Walter Travis five times dating back to 1898. Jerry Travers was successful twice, and Tommy Armour captured the title in his second appearance in 1921."

It is also where Bobby Jones came across his famous Calamity Jane putter, a replica of which is presented to the winner of the Invitational.

According to the club website:

A great many articles and stories have been printed on the origin of this club in any number of golf magazines and histories of golf. A study of these articles, plus corroboration of the stories, lead to conclusive proof of the following story. Past Green Superintendent Charles Brett was caddying here the day Jones acquired the club; and a further discussion led to a talk with Jim Kramer, who not only was aware of the history, but caddied that July 8, 1923, for Jones when he played a tune-up round with Pro Jim Maiden. [Club pro] Jim Maiden had known Bobby from his days at East Lake in Atlanta where his brother, Stuart Maiden, was a professional.
Bob Jones often stopped at Nassau when in the New York area. It was the eve of the 1923 Open being played across the Island at Inwood, and Bobby was complaining of being “off the stick.” He had become a national figure but had not yet won any of the “big ones” and now he lacked confidence; especially with the putter.
After the round, on our present 18th green, Jim handed Bob a putter he had taken from his shop and asked Bob to try it.
After a few strokes, he proceeded to roll in “six footers” with ease. Bob immediately wanted the putter. Jim explained that he had been using the club and had named it “Calamity Jane.”
Bobby Jones went on to win the U.S. Open at Inwood on July 15, 1923, and from that day on used Calamity Jane until he retired after his Grand Slam in 1930. The Spalding Company reproduced it by the thousands. Today, the original Calamity Jane can be seen at Golf House in Far Hills, New Jersey, home of the USGA.

2019 Nassau Invitational, Nassau Country Club, Glen Cove, N.Y. October 11-13, 2019

Final

Rowan Lester, Hermitage def. Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow, 2&1

Semifinals

Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow def. Jonathan Jeter, Nassau Players, 7&6
Rowan Lester, Hermitage def. Adam Pecora, Brookville, 6&4

Quarterfinals

Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow def. Trevor Randolph, Arcola, 5&4
Jonathan Jeter, Nassau Players def. Thomas LaMorte, Knickerbocker, 5&3
Rowan Lester, Hermitage def. Jordan Claffey, Glen Oaks, 6&5
Adam Pecora, Brookville def. Colby Anderson, Nassau, 5&4

Round of 16

Trevor Randolph, Arcola def. Steve Tarulli, Hempstead, 3&2
Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow def. Dominic Formato, North Hills, 2up
Jonathan Jeter, Nassau Players def. David Sampson, Rivervale, 5&3
Thomas LaMorte, Knickerbocker def. Jack Maerki, Nassau, 3&2
Rowan Lester, Hermitage def. Brad Barnett, Cherry Valley, 4&3
Jordan Claffey, Glen Oaks def. David Segot, Nassau Players, 2&1
Colby Anderson, Nassau def. Michael O'Connell, Arcola, 3&2
Adam Pecora, Brookville def. Ryan Riley, Pine Oaks, 1up