Allison goes 7-0 to capture NC Amateur Match Play

 

 

Event: 15th North Carolina Amateur Match Play

Host Site: Mill Creek Golf Club, Mebane, N.C.

Playing Dates: July 31 - August 3, 2024

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

 

Related: Championship Website | Scoring |  History |  Photos

 

Mebane, N.C. - Holt Allison of Conover, N.C., captured his first CGA title, the 15th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship, at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mebane, N.C. Allison won the Championship Match 4 & 2 over Colin Dutton of Foxfire, N.C.

 

This popular event began with 64 players, separated into foursomes, to compete in Group Play, a new format last year. The third and final round on Thursday, followed two rounds of Group Play on Wednesday. After Thursday's play, the field was cut to 16 players, with the top player in each Group Play foursome advancing to Bracket Play beginning Friday. 

 

Allison and Dutton played a thrilling match in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. They went back and forth throughout the front nine. After a nice birdie on nine, Allison took a slim 1 up lead to the back, only to see Dutton tie things back up on the next hole. Allison finally broke through, winning both twelve and thirteen to go 2 up as storm clouds rolled in, and play was halted.

 

After the rain cleared, the players tied the 14th, and then Allison took a stranglehold on the match, going 3 up after 15. Unfortunately, Dutton would spray a drive out of bounds for the second hole in a row and eventually concede the sixteenth, where the match would end.

 

Perhaps the most remarkable feat outside of hoisting the championship trophy was Allison's perfect record on the week, 7 and 0.

 

"I can't complain too much going 7-0. I just played really solid all week and didn't make many mistakes," said a relieved Allison after his win.

 

"Nothing in particular stood out other than maybe my ball-striking; I was hitting my irons nicely, which is usually something I struggle with," mentioned Allison.

 

"This ranks pretty high in my golf career. I haven't been doing this too long, but you always doubt whether you can win. Finally, showing yourself you can mean a lot," added Allison.

 

The road to get to the trophy in this format is always challenging. Earlier in the morning on Saturday, Allison went up against Tyler Jones of Jacksonville, N.C., in the second semifinal match of the day.

 

Allison fired a blazing front nine 31 and eventually won the match 5 & 4.

 

Dutton had to defeat Daniel Adkins of Holly Springs, N.C., to advance to the championship match.

 

After a tight start to the match, Dutton eventually pulled away late on the back nine, recording a 2 & 1 victory and earning a spot in the finals.

 

In the Quarterfinals, Allison recorded a decisive 4 & 3 win over Quinlan Polin of Cary, N.C.. Sutton beat Myles Patterson of Apex, N.C., in his Quarterfinal match 3 & 2.

 

When asked about the grind of Match Play, Allison's strategy was " keeping the ball in play off the tee and hitting as many greens as you can, keeping the pressure on your opponent, and not taking yourself out of any hole."

 

The Carolinas Golf Association would like to thank Mill Creek Golf Club's Superintendent Jason Bauder, General Manager Tyler Lail, and the rest of the staff for a fantastic week. 

 

 

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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