JACOB Slimmon saw himself as a pretty self-assured person, but after hitting his worst shot of the day on the 18th, he again started “doubting” himself.
After starting to seriously play golf at Coomealla Golf Club as a 16-year-old, the now 40-year-old Slimmon held a two-lead over Cameron Stewart to secure his first Murray Darling Golf Association (MDGA) District Championship. Approaching the ball, memories of twice finishing runner-up to legendary local golfer Greg Rhodes came flooding back.
But Slimmon was able to recover with a flop shot onto the green and, after missing the first putt, focused on going straight “back and forward” to sink a bogey putt and clinch the title.
“The last putt was a very short one foot putt that felt very long,” Slimmon said.
Having first started visiting Coomealla Golf Club as a 14-year-old living in Dareton, the newly crowned champion said he spared a thought for runner-up Stewart, before enjoying his relief at winning the title in his 24th year of playing golf.
“Everyone knew that I hadn’t won. It was good to get the monkey off the back, in front of everyone that I’ve grown up with as well,” he said.
One of the people close by was Slimmon’s close friend Justin Clay, who caddied for Slimmon to help him keep “it real”.
“He offered to walk around and keep my mind straight because my mind starts to wander a bit,” he said.
“He helped me through just talking to me about everything but golf.”
Slimmon said it was the support and encouragement of family, friends and a local golfing icon that helped him to his first title. On Saturday he played with his dad and friends, allowing him to concentrate and not beat himself as he finished 4-under.
On the Sunday, he was paired up with Stewart and enjoyed a one or two-shot lead for most of the back nine. And along the way Slimmon received text messages from Rhodes.
“Greg made me feel real comfortable during the day,” he said.
“When I was 16, he was still a gun. So watching him go around, I always wanted to go against him.
“I felt very privileged to win with him in the group, because he is a benchmark in the district.
“The words he gave me afterwards and during the presentation made me feel more humble – it made it a better achievement because Greg was there.”
