Aaron Hickman (TGA)

After earning medalist honors on Thursday with a 6-under 65, Hickman cruised to the championship match with 3&2, 2&1, 6&4, and 8&7 wins as the No. 1 seed.

Hickman’s opponent in the championship match had a similar path to Sunday’s final match. Colby Harwell, the defending champion and also a winner in 2017, commanded a spot in the main event with 2&1, 6&5, 1 up, and a 5&4 semifinal win to face off against Hickman on the Tripp Davis redesigned Willow Brook Country Club.

Quickly pouncing out in front, Hickman took a 5 up advantage as the pair made the turn. Getting out to a fast start helped Hickman all week.

“Getting that first birdie in each match helped settle the nerves,” Hickman told the Texas Golf Association. “I had four bogeys all week and played the rest of the golf at 31-under par.”

Hickman did not lose a hole until he lost back-to-back holes as Harwell tried to chip away. Three holes up with seven to play, Hickman needed just three more holes to settle the match.

Birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 gave Hickman a 5 up lead once again. Halving the par-4 14th with Harwell, Hickman ended the match 5&4.

The Willow Brook member definitely felt the pressure on his home course but was glad he could get in done in convincing fashion.

“To play in front of the home crowd brings added pressure with all of the moving parts, but the membership here was so supportive of everything this week,” Hickman said. “They are really excited to host the 2022 Texas Amateur, which is also our 100th anniversary as a club.”

Even better than winning at home is the self-validation a championship like this can give you.

“This is validation for all of the hard work I have put in,” said Hickman. “I have won team events, but this is special to do this on my own”.

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