-- photo Golf Canada

Hughes, a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, finished at 12-under par 276 for the championship, besting Brian Churchill-Smith of Oakville, Ont. and Chris Hemmerich of Kitchener, Ont. by one stroke. Churchill-Smith and Hemmerich both posted a four-day tally of 11-under par 277 to finish T2.

“Today was totally not what I had in mind. It was a struggle all day really,” said Hughes. “I didn’t feel like I was swinging that well, but basically all I was doing all day was trying to draw on the experience from last year and save a shot or two that way. I felt like it definitely paid off in the end. Coming down the last few holes, I knew it was something I’d done.”

With the victory, Hughes became the first competitor to capture back-to-back Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship titles since Cam Burke of Kitchener, Ont. accomplished the feat in 2008 and 2009.

After struggling to start the day with a double-bogey on No. 3, a bogey on No. 4 and another bogey on No. 8, Hughes rallied by shooting 2-under par on his last 10 holes to secure the win.

“It was a day when I brought my ‘C’ game. There was never a point where I was feeling too comfortable,” said Hughes. “I was actually behind for most of the front-nine, and a couple of shots just swung the momentum for me and it managed to be enough.”

During Friday’s final round, Hughes’ group, which included Hemmerich and Conners, incurred a slow play penalty predicated on two separate incidents that occurred during the round. Upon review, no penalty was assessed to any of the three players in the group and Hughes was officially crowned champion.

With the victory, Hughes earned exemptions into the 2013 RBC Canadian Open at the historic Glen Abbey Golf Club as well as the 2012 U.S. Amateur Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

Former Team Canada member Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. placed fourth at 9-under par 279, while Team Canada National Squad member and 2010 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship winner Albin Choi of Toronto, Stephane Dubois of Brantford, Ont. and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. were T5 at 7-under par 281.

The 2012 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Camelot Golf and Country Club and Club de golf Outaouais featured 240 players with a cut after 36 holes to the low 70 scores and ties. Club de golf Outaouais joined Camelot Golf and Country Club in hosting the opening two rounds of the championship with the final two weekend rounds being contested at Camelot.

The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will take place at Royal Colwood Golf Club and Gorge Vale Golf Course in Victoria, B.C. The 109th playing of the championship will once again feature an expanded field of 240 competitors.