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Meet the N.C. Match Play Finalists
The final match will feature William Rainey of Charlotte (L) vs. David Sargent of Cornelius
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SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (August 13, 2016) -- Meet the finalists who will compete for the 7th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) at Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club in Southern Pines. (Par: 36-36--72, Yards: 6723, Course Rating: 71.7/130).
Related: Photos | Match Play Pairings | Scoring | History
No. 29 seed William Rainey of Charlotte, N.C.
- 21-year-old rising senior at the College of Charleston.
- 9th ranked men's amateur golfer in North Carolina.
- Claimed first CGA championship at the 2016 Carolinas Four-Ball.
- 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship Individual Finalist.
- Qualified for 2015 U.S. Amateur.
- Road to the finals: Shot two-over 146 in stroke play qualifying. Advanced into match play by holing birdie putt on first hole of 8-for-6 playoff. Defeated No. 4 John McFadyen 3 & 1, No. 13 Patrick Cover 5 & 4, No. 28 Will Stewart 3 & 2, No. 1 Josh Martin 20 holes.
- "This is awesome. I love this course. It's short, it sets up for my game pretty well. Playing match play is so fun. I can't wait for tomorrow."
No. 6 seed David Sargent of Cornelius, N.C.
- 22-year-old recent graduate of Davidson College.
- 32nd ranked men's amateur golfer in North Carolina.
- Seeking first CGA championship.
- Qualified for 2011 U.S. Junior.
- Road to the finals: Shot three-under 141 in stroke play qualifying. Defeated No. 27 Patrick Langdon 3 & 2, No. 11 Stephen Saleeby 4 & 2, No. 3 Caleb Keck 2 & 1, No. 26 Walker Simas 6 & 5.
- "It's awesome to be in the finals. It's funny, three years ago when I missed match play l caddied for Alex Nianouris, my roommate at Davidson, who made the finals. I'm trying to be like him I guess, and hopefully take it one win further. We will see tomorrow."
Saturday's Quarterfinal and Semifinal matches at Mid Pines delivered hard fought battles to determine the final two players in the 7th North Carolina Match Play Championship. No. 1 seed Josh Martin of Pinehurst defeated his older brother, Zach Martin 4 & 2 to face William Rainey in the semifinal. Rainey jumped out to a 3 up thru 12 hole advantage. Dormie on 17, Rainey bogeyed, giving Josh Martin a chance to extend the match. On 18, Martin took advantage, rolling in a six foot birdie to force extra holes. The first extra hole, the par-5 10th at Mid Pines, was halved with birdies. On the par-3 11th, Rainey drew the ball beautifully with a 9-iron, then converted a five foot birdie for the win.
In the other half of the bracket, 18-year-old Walker Simas of Charlotte defeated fellow Charlotte resident Paul Fitzgerald 4 & 3 to meet David Sargent in the semis. Sargent never gave Simas an opening, playing six under through 13 holes (including two eagles) to win 6 & 5 for a ticket into the finals.
The championship match will take place Sunday morning at 8:00 to determine the champion. Entry is open to any male amateur golfer who has reached his 13th birthday by August 10, 2016, is a legal resident of North Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has an active GHIN® USGA Handicap Index® at a CGA member club that does not exceed 7.4.
Scoring will be provided by the CGA throughout the championship. Live updates will be available on the CGA’s official Twitter account, @cgagolf1909. Continue to visit the CGA website throughout this championship and all year long for complete championship coverage including scores, interviews, photos, and recaps.
7th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship
Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
Southern Pines, N.C.
August 13, 2016
| Quarterfinal | |||
| Joshua Martin, Pinehurst, N.C. (1) def. Zachary Martin, Pinehurst, N.C. (8), 4 and 2 | |||
| William Rainey, Charlotte, N.C. (29) def. Will Stewart, Charlotte, N.C. (28), 3 and 2 | |||
| Walker Simas, Charlotte, N.C. (26) def. Paul Fitzgerald, Charlotte, N.C. (2), 4 and 3 | |||
| David Sargent, Cornelius, N.C. (6) def. Caleb Keck, Reidsville, N.C. (3), 2 and 1 | |||
| Semifinal | |||
| William Rainey, Charlotte, N.C. (29) def. Joshua Martin, Pinehurst, N.C. (1), 20 holes | |||
| David Sargent, Cornelius, N.C. (6) def. Walker Simas, Charlotte, N.C. (26), 6 and 5 | |||
Championship Schedule:
Wednesday, August 10
Stroke Play Qualifying Round 1. Tee times at 8:00am/12:30pm off #1/#10 tees.
Thursday, August 11
Stroke Play Qualifying Round 2. Tee times at 8:00am/12:30pm off #1/#10 tees.
Cut to low 32 scores for match play. Playoff for medalist and last match play position.
Friday, August 12
Round of 32 (AM) and Round of 16 (PM) match play (18 holes each round).
Saturday, August 13
Quarterfinal (AM) and semifinal (PM) rounds of match play (18 holes each round).
Sunday, August 14
Championship match (18 holes).
About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)
The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.
The CGA annually conducts 43 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 140 One-Day (net and gross) events and qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed more than $1,500,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.
For more information about the CGA, visit www.carolinasgolf.org.
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