Isley goes back-to-back at NC Amateur

 

 

Event: North Carolina Amateur

Host Site: Croasdaile Country Club

Playing Dates: June 6-9, 2024

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

 

Related: Championship Website | Scoring |  History |  Photos

 

DURHAM, NC - Congratulations to Walker Isley of Oak Island, NC, for winning the 64th playing of the North Carolina Amateur Championship at Croasdale Country Club. Isley dominated the rest of the field, shooting scores of 70-63-64-62 and winning by an incredible 15 shots. He set numerous scoring records during his astonishing win, including the tournament scoring record and largest winning margin record. With the victory, Isley became the first player in 50 years to win back-to-back North Carolina Amateur Championships. 

 

The first round ended with Isley shooting a 1-under par 70 and finding himself six shots back of Nathan O'Neil of Wilson, NC. O'Neil shot a first round 64 to take the early lead. However, after the first round, Isley tore up the course, shooting a 63 on his second round and taking the lead by one shot heading into the moving day.

 

In the third round, Isley continued to play lights-out. He shot a 64 and set himself up with a seven-shot lead heading into the final round.

 

Despite practically locking up the win, Isley refused to take his foot off the gas pedal. He set the tone early in round 4, making birdie on his first four holes, highlighted by a monster 40-foot putt on hole number two. Isley would make six birdies on his first seven holes. 

 

Isley finished with a bogey-free final round of 62 for a total of- 25. Hampton Roberts of Cary, NC, finished in 2nd with a score of -10.

 

Isley's gameplan was to play aggressive golf the entire week. In an interview after round three, Isley stated, "My goal is to shoot as low as possible and make as many birdies as possible, no matter how far ahead I am." This strategy was evident in his final round, where he reached the green in two on the long par-5 sixth hole. He then followed that up with a birdie on the 7th hole, which played as the most challenging hole all week. 

 

When asked about his unbelievable final round score, Isley mentioned, "That was my lowest round ever in a tournament. I've shot 61 in practice, but that was easily my best tournament round."

 

With this victory, Isley earned an exemption into the 2024 US Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.

 

When asked about his plan for that tournament, he said, "I'm just going to try to play like I did this week. I mean, we have so many great players here, so I'll be ready."

 

The CGA would like to thank Croasdale Country Club General Manager Mark Johnson, Director of Golf Brian Joyce, and Superintendant Andy McMahan. Thank you for helping us put on this fantastic event. 

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1909 to promote and protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support, and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is one of the largest golf associations in the country, with over 700 member clubs represented by over 200,000 individuals.

The CGA annually conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 150 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 over $3,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives, including junior, women and adaptive programs.

For more information about the Carolinas Golf Association, follow @cgagolf1909 on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok or visit our website www.carolinasgolf.org/

 

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