PINEHURST, NC -- Banks Wood is from Charlotte, N.C., but he also belongs to the CC of North Carolina in Pinehurst. He took advantage of his home-course knowledge Sunday to beat John Kelley of Winston-Salem, N.C. in the final match of the Carolinas Amateur by a 5 and 3 margin.

Perhaps more important than his local knowledge was Wood's preference for match play. Proof is in his two Carolinas Golf Association titles; he also won the 2000 North Carolina Junior championship, also played at match play.

"In match play, I have to beat only five out of the 32 people who advance. In match play, if I make a double bogey, I lose only one hole," said the rising senior, 21, at North Carolina State University. Also, match play suits his aggressive play, attacking holes.

Wood never trailed in any match by the seventh hole. Against Kelley, 31, a real estate developer and 1995 graduate of Wake Forest University, Wood was three up after nine holes, three up after 18 holes and five up after 27 holes. He never trailed in the match was never less than two up after the sixth hole.

Only a series of three-putt greens prevented Wood from closing out the match any sooner. Yet the shot that spectators will talk about most was Kelley's shot that lost the match on the 33^rd hole. He holed, on the fly, a wedge shot for par on the water-laden par-four 15^th hole. Wood had a short birdie putt that was conceded for the victory.

"I am so excited about putting my name on this trophy," Wood said. "With names like Harvie Ward on it, I am honored."

Wood was two under par in the morning round on the 6,900-yard Dogwood Course at CC of NC; and he was two under par again in the afternoon.

Banks Wood, Charlotte, NC df. John Kelley, Winston-Salem, NC, 5 & 3