Zach Smith claims third straight club title
Published 8:37 pm Sunday, August 4, 2024
BROOKHAVEN — Three years ago, Zach Smith won his first club championship at the Clubs at Ole Brook. The young man won his third straight title Sunday afternoon with a final round of 64.
This title is a little more special though. Smith is the first winner of the newly named Henry Swann Champions Cup. Swann is a great ambassador of golf, a great man and has won the club championship and senior championship 27 times. One golfer remarked Swann has as many championships at the club as the New York Yankees have won World Series titles.
“When I heard the trophy would be named after him I wanted to be the first one to win it,” Smith said. “What made me want to win it was the legacy he has built here at Brookhaven Country Club.”
Clubs at Ole Brook General Manager Jeff Hening said he came up with the idea to name the trophy after Swann while riding on a tractor one day. He was a little emotional as he addressed a room of golfers following Sunday’s final round of the Henry Swann Champions Cup.
“Henry means a lot to all of us. He was in my wedding. I’ve known him since I have played golf here,” Henning said. “He has always made sure we do things right. He thinks of others and how to make golf better.”
Smith had a phenomenal weekend on the course. He made just three bogeys in three rounds of golf, one each day. His round Sunday started off with a bogey but he fired off a few birdies and strolled to victory. Blake Windham gave him a challenge this year and played his best golf shooting a 68 in the final round.
“It was fun, I was comfortable with the golf course,” Smith said. “I would have liked to have put it better but overall I putted well.”