Tom Bryant finally got his parking spot — the coveted front row space in the lot of Beau Pré Country Club.

The only way to claim the spot is to win the Beau Pré Club Championship, which Bryant did for the first time Sunday as he held on to a strong lead amongst a group of 43 other eager golfers.

Bryant held a four-stroke lead over second-place finisher Casey Ham after Saturday’s first round with a score of 67. Ham shot one stroke better than Bryant on Sunday — three under par at 69 — however it just wasn’t enough.

Bryant’s final score was 137, while Ham finished at 140 after winning his fourth club championship last year.

“I had a real good round going (Sunday) but then the wheels fell off,” Bryant said. “I started making bad swings, and I just couldn’t stop it.”

Bryant was five under par Sunday through 10 holes. He had to fight to maintain his lead through the final eight.

“I had a bad swing on 13, then made a bogey. I had a bad swing on 15 and made a double bogey,” Bryant said. “I made a bad shot off the tee of 16, 17 and 18.

“At that point, I was just trying to get it in the hole. All I had to do was make no more mistakes.”

Ham, who played next to Bryant in the championship flight, said he definitely noticed the momentum of the game switch.

“He started leaking a little oil,” Ham said. “There was a point where I almost told him to keep it together because I knew he was four or five strokes ahead.

“But, he played great. I’m so happy he finally got that thing — finally.”

Unluckily for Ham, he couldn’t capitalize on Bryant’s mistakes.

“I missed too many short birdie putts this weekend,” he said. “You have to make putts to win tournaments. That’s all there is to it.”

For Bryant’s first time winning the club championship, he said it brings back a host of emotions. Living in Natchez for now 14 years, Bryant was the Golf Pro at Beau Pré in 2004-05 and also 2009-2011.

“It feels good,” Bryant said. “I’ve spent a lot of time out here, and it’s part of home.”

But the most important thing, and the best memory of them all, was claiming the parking spot, Bryant said.

“I got the place,” he said. “That’s what I wanted.”

As Ham surrender’s the spot for the coming year, he said it just makes him want to play even better.

“It’s alright,” he said. “It just makes me hungrier for next time.”