BRYAN, TX (June 28, 2009)--Another hot day welcomed the players at Miramont Country Club. But none of that mattered to the remaining players in the field, as their main focus was to finish the day and crown the 2009 Texas State Amateur Champion. In the end, James Sacheck took the title with a brilliant final round 4-under 67. It was the first time the 23-year-old has played in the Texas Amateur.
Sacheck, who shot a competitive course record 7-under 64 on Friday to take a commanding 5 stroke lead into the weekend found himself on the outside looking in after a disastrous third round where he carded no birdies and posted a disappointing 7-over par 78, putting him a distant six shots back of 54-hole leader Bronson Burgoon of The Woodlands.
Burgoon looked unstoppable on Sunday as he made the turn at 1-under par to go 8-under for the championship and take a 5-stroke lead over the eventual champion. But Burgoon had a little trouble on Miramont’s inward nine. He cared a back nine 40 for Sunday total of three-over 74, putting him at 4-under for the championship.
Sacheck remained focused throughout the day as he completed his round bogey-free, finishing the day with two birdies per side for the clubhouse lead at five under. It then became a waiting game as three groups behind him Burgoon was trying to keep his composure after a bogey on No. 12 followed by a costly double bogey on the par 3 13th hole put him in a tie for the lead with Sacheck with five holes to play.
Another bogey on the other par 3 15th dropped Burgoon one shot behind Sacheck. Pars on 16 and 17 kept him alive but he needed to birdie the par 5 18th to force a playoff with Sacheck, who was waiting anxiously behind the gallery ropes.
A perfect drive on 18 left Burgoon a chance to go for the green in two, but his approach shot landed just short in the green-side bunker. A deftly played explosion shot left Burgoon with a very makeable 5 foot putt to force a playoff with Sacheck, but was unable to roll it in as the crowd stood in disbelief, including Sacheck who was wondering just a second prior if he would need to start warming up for a playoff. Reality sunk in for the TCU standout after a moment of disbelief, as he made his way to the awards ceremony where he was officially crowned the 100th winner of the Texas Amateur Championship.
Congratulations again to The Woodlands’ James Sacheck and all of those tied at 15th or higher who will receive automatic exemptions into next year’s championship to be held at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas.
The Texas Golf Association would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the presenting sponsor, Guaranty Bank, and to ownership, membership and professional staff of Miramont Country Club for their warm hospitality and continuing support of amateur golf by hosting the 2009 Texas Amateur. And, of course, many thanks to all the dedicated volunteers whose time and efforts greatly contribute to the tradition of this championship.
This year marked the 100th playing of this prestigious event, making the Texas Amateur one of the nation’s oldest state championships. It was first held in 1906 and has been conducted every year since except 1918, when it was temporarily suspended because of World War I, and 1943-45, when it was suspended because of World War II.
The list of past champions reads like a Who’s Who of Texas greats and includes such PGA Tour stars as Mark Brooks, Bob Estes, Charles Coody, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke and Scott Verplank, to name but a few.
Final results of the 2009 Texas State Amateur Championship, played June 25-28, 2009 at Miramont Country Club in Bryan, TX:
1. 
Southeast