LAKELAND – Despite a constant wind, and sometimes gusts, Kyle Thomas hung on to win the Polk-Amateur Golf Championship Sunday at Lone Palm Golf Club.

With a 9 a.m. start time and temperature of 40 degrees, Thomas, who said yesterday he didn’t care for the cold, shot a 5-over 77 to go with the 69 on Saturday to total 146.

“Even as a group, no one shot well, but it was the first round that got me the win,” said Thomas. “Those winds made conditions rough; shots were just tough to make.”

Thomas admitted his putter deprived him of some possible birdies and he only had one all day. ”I just didn’t get there today.”

The senior championship flight was the most exciting battle of the day. Leading after the first day, David Conway found himself in a playoff with Greg Ellis after 18 holes.

Tied with a 150 total each. The two tied the first playoff hole, then to the second hole where Conway’s chip shot left him an eight-foot putt, but Ellis made a spectacular blast out of the right bunker to get within three feet of the hole.

Conway’s putt lipped the edge and Ellis easily dropped his for the win.

“I was behind most of the day, but made birds on 3-5-and-6,” said Ellis, who watched a tied game turn his fortune to minus three. Conway had some bad luck with bogies to allow Ellis in the game.

“On 18, I took a 3-wood got the ball to within three feet of the cup, made the putt, and we were tied,” said Ellis.

Said Conway, “I didn’t lose it, he won it.”

Ellis’ 74 was the best round of the day for all four flights. The wind just played havoc with all 58 entrants.

Aaron Jeffery was second in the championship flight with a 152. Defending champion Wayne Raath finished in a three-way tiefor second with Nick Strickler and Brady Whitmyer at 154. Next was Chase Gill at 155.