Barbin’s summer continues as Evan Barbin wins the Delaware Amateur
Evan Barbin (Philadelphia Golf Association Photo) The younger Barbin watched his two older brothers (Austin and Zach) claim numerous titles, including Austin’s recent BMW Philadelphia Amateur crown, across the region while dedicating every waking moment every day to a game that He didn’t mind rewarding him like his brothers did.
“When I was in high school and Austin was a senior in high school, he won basically every event I played with him,” said Barbin, of the Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. “He had all the attention and I was jealous, but he wasn’t mature enough to handle it. I felt like he was in the shadows. As I grew older, I gained great respect for him as a player and, more importantly, as a brother. “I am proud of all my brothers and I am his number one fan when I am not playing my best.”
On Wednesday at White Clay Creek Country Club (par 72, 6,585 yards), Evan stepped out of the spotlight he created. He is the 73rd Delaware Amateur champion.
His 72-hole total of 13 under par was good enough for a three-stroke victory over Amory Davis of Bidermann Golf Club. Davis led Barbin by three shots heading into the final round after Barbin shot a 69 to Davis’ 68 on the 18th. Barbin was the only player to break par in all four rounds.
“Being the Delaware Amateur Champion means everything to me right now,” said Barbin, 20, of Elkton, Maryland. “I have fought for so long. My golf game never won me anything important. I have always loved this tournament. It’s so close to home. This feeling is amazing. “This means more than most people know.”
Barbin moved to the back nine, four strokes behind Davis. He walked to 11th place with a one-stroke lead.
You read that correctly.
Amory Davis, 2007 champion, made a mess of the 10th hole (par 5, 582 yards). His shot went straight into the penalty area. His third shot went into an environmentally sensitive penalty area, a no-play zone.
Just inside the rim, Davis played from there. He would do what he thought he would be a miraculous ghost when he contributed six. The officer in charge, Grant Morse, would inform him of a two-stroke penalty on the 12th tee.
Knowing that this was finally the opportunity Barbin had been waiting for, he went for a 3-iron from 230 yards for what would be one of his championship moments. The iron landed 4.5 meters away. He made the putt.
“That was the best shot I’ve made in a long time,” said Barbin, a junior at Liberty University. “I had 15 feet left and that was the first putt I made outside of 10 feet. That excited me. My heart rate was very high, but I dialed it back and stayed calm.”
“When the week started, they told us about these environmentally sensitive areas of the golf course,” said Davis, 35, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. “They are no-play zones. I was so in the moment that I didn’t think to look for a bet. I saw a red line and assumed I was in a normal penalty area. I thought I could cut it. I thought of grief as of life. I’m doing my best to control what I can control. If I dwell on it and make a scene, it’s a waste of energy. “Evan played very well on the back nine.”
Barbin took control of the tournament with consecutive birdies on Nos. 13 (par 3, 175 yards) and 14 (par 4, 375 yards). He hit an 8-iron to 15 feet on No. 13 and hit a 140-yard wedge to 7 feet on No. 14. But the most important shot was his fourth after sinking his second into the penalty box on No. 15 (par 5, 533 yards).
He swung an 80-yard lob to 10 feet and converted for a clutch par. Him slowly closing the door on Davis.
Barbin’s iconic championship moment came late (par 4, 372 yards). Standing 15 feet away, he had three putts to win. He only needed one.
“I was pretty numb when that putt went in,” Barbin said. “I didn’t really realize it until my dad came up to me and whispered words of encouragement. It’s a putt I won’t forget for the rest of my life. In a way, it’s going to change my life.”
New for 2024, the Delaware Amateur is an official USGA exemption event. Barbin, like his brother Austin, earned his place in the US Amateur as a result of his victories in the Delaware Amateur and the BMW Philadelphia Amateur. Amory Davis is already in the field as a result of his New Mexico/West Texas amateur title win earlier this year. Davis will be exempt from local qualification for the 2025 US Amateur.
Just before going to bed before the last day, Austin and Evan had a conversation. One that only people with a brother can understand. It is a conversation that has meaning and impact.
“Austin made it a point to follow my routine no matter what,” Barbin said. “It calmed my nerves and it was worth it. That conversation really stuck with me today. That was one of the first times he gave me sentimental advice. “Austin believed in me last night and that sparked something.”
When Evan walks into the Chesapeake Bay the next time he’s home, he’ll see something he’s never seen in his life: a trophy and a photo of one of his victories, a victory he dedicated his entire life to.
“I’ve never worked harder for anything in my life than I have in golf,” Barbin said. “I never got any rewards from playing golf because I’ve never had any success that resulted in a trophy. Something just clicked when I came home from school this year. I told myself I was really going to earn it this summer and make a name for myself. There were times when I didn’t want to work hard but I did. It makes it all worth it.”
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