910-673-1000
Swanson/Woodruff Faceoff in NC Match Play Final
Woodruff and Swanson Set to Faceoff in the 10th N.C. Match Play Championship Final Match.
NEWTON, N.C. (August 3, 2019) – Quarterfinal and Semifinal match play results of the 10th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship at Catawba Country Club in Newton, N.C. on Saturday, August 3, 2019. (6635 yards, Par 35-35--70)
Related: Championship Web Site | Full Field of Players | Starting Times | Scoring | History
Only two golfers remain at the 10th North Carolina Amateur Match Play and tomorrow, a new champion will be crown. Ben Woodruff of Huntersville, N.C, and Zack Swanson of Charlotte, N.C., will battle it out in the final match to see whose name will be engraved on the Paul M. Simson Trophy.
It was a back-and-forth battle in the Semifinal match between Swanson and Christian Park of Charlotte, N.C. Swanson came out of the gate strong, winning the first two holes in the match. That lead didn’t last long as Park fought back to win Nos. 4 and 6. A birdie on the par-4, ninth hole gave Swanson a 1 up lead heading into the back nine.
“I was just trying to hit my spots and trying to make as many birdies as possible,” Swanson said. “It's regular golf. You don't have to play your opponent. You’ve just got to play the course. If your opponent beats you, so what. You’ve just got to play your game.”
Park was able to take back the lead after winning Nos. 10 and 14 and was 1 up heading into No. 17. A birdie on the par-3, 17th hole by Swanson moved the match back to tied going into No. 18. After Park missed the green with his approach shot, a two-putt par on final hole was enough to give Swanson a 1 up victory and the first spot in Sunday’s final championship match.
“Swing feels great. Putting's good. Ready for tomorrow,” Swanson said. “I've been driving really well so it's been a big advantage out here.”
In the other semifinal match, Woodruff took an early lead going 1 up on the first hole against Jack Marcotte of Apex, N.C.
Woodruff won No. 6 to go 2 up, but Marcotte quickly rebounded winning Nos. 7 and 8 to bring the match back to tied. Marcotte took his first and only lead of the match on No. 11 but Woodruff made a comeback of his own winning Nos. 12 and 13. A birdie by Woodruff on the par-5, 16th hole gave him a two-hole lead with only two holes left to play.
Marcotte put his tee shot to within two feet on the par-3, 17th hole and it looked like he had a great shot to extend the match. Woodruff made a 15-foot, downhill sliding putt to win the match 3 and 1 and earn his spot in the final championship match.
“I’ve really stuck to just playing my game and honestly, letting them fold,” Woodruff said. “In both my matches today I was one down through five this morning and then won five straight. Today I was one down through 11 and won 3 & 1. I think I’m going to go about the same strategy and stick to my game plan and trust what I’m doing so far because it’s been working.”
The final championship match will be held on Sunday, August 4 at 8 a.m. Live hole-by-hole scoring will be available online.
10th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship
Catawba Country Club, Newton, NC
Quarterfinal and Semifinal Match Play Results
Quarterfinal Match Play Results
|
Christian Park of Charlotte, N.C. def. Brad Mangum of Iron Station, N.C., 2 & 1 |
|
Zack Swanson of Charlotte, N.C. def. Joe Kastelic of Hickory, N.C., 3 & 1 |
|
Ben Woodruff of Huntersville, N.C. def. Will Stewart of Charlotte, N.C., 5 & 3 |
|
Jack Marcotte of Apex, N.C. def. Connor Armistead of Charlotte, N.C., 3 & 2 |
Semifinal Match Play Results
|
Zack Swanson of Charlotte, N.C. def. Christian Park of Charlotte, N.C., 1 up |
|
Ben Woodruff of Huntersville, N.C. def. Jack Marcotte of Apex, N.C., 2 & 1 |