Luke Chisholm edged out reigning champ Bart Carroll at their third crack at the deciding hole, after the pair had been neck-and-neck throughout the back nine.

"You could cut the tension with a knife. It was very exciting," Country Club manager John Turner said.

"As a golfer when you're at the level of say Bart and Luke, you thrive on it and it puts the mind game of golf really to the fore.

"It was like a PGA Tour event - the crowd, the excitement... The last few years we've had great numbers watching but this was a different level."

Turner said it was a fitting finish to a big two weekends.

"For the four days of the event, we would have had in excess of 800 rounds played. I think most clubs would be envious of those sorts of numbers," Turner said.

"Right through all the grades, from the junior nett champion, Jesse Barac - he was so excited - the winners were really happy to come with the trophy with their name on it."

Evening was closing in when the A Grade champion was decided as the challengers made par at their first two playoff attempts.

"I was getting a little bit worried that I was going to have to consult the club captain, thinking if this keeps going we're going to run out of daylight soon," Turner said.

"It was good to get a result. Probably not the best result for Bart but Luke's been runner-up four times. I saw him (on Wednesday) and he was still so honoured."

Carroll was disappointed he couldn't capitalise on his superb first two rounds (70, 68) as a 75 and 76 cost him on the final two days. The playoff, after a tense 18 holes on a very hot Sunday, added to the drama.

"I've played in a few, not many, Playoffs are always a very different experience," Carroll said. "You're a little bit more nervous... but the whole back nine felt a bit like a 1 v 1 playoff really."

A strong crowd followed the lead group of Chisholm, Carroll, James Elliott and Kurt Pideski and the atmosphere at the closing holes was electric.

For much of it, Carroll was trying to save his round from himself, getting into (and often out of) trouble. But he was saving pars rather than chasing birdies.

"Unfortunately I really wasn't happy with my game. My putting and chipping was very solid and if I didn't putt and chip very well, I would've got beaten by a lot. So they were good signs," he said.

"I just really lost my whole swing. I was hitting it nowhere near as good as I could and I had a two-way miss going. Usually when you're missing it one side you can compensate but unfortunately I had the lefts and the rights."

Still, his short game maintained pressure on Chisholm even as he had his best round of the tournament (72, 74, 72, 71). Eventually, after 75 holes of golf, the challenger prevailed.

"I'm really happy for Luke to get his breakthrough win. He's obviously fallen just a little bit short the last few years and he's done a lot for me, so it's really good to see him get a win," Carroll said.

Carroll isn't too down about missing a fourth straight title, and is happy with the way his game is trending after two weekends of tournament golf - a rare event in 2020.

An exciting finish added to the buzz.

"It was a great turnout," Carroll said. "I'd say that was the biggest crowd I've seen at the end of the club champs. It was really cool to be a part of, how many people were out there following for a fair few holes."