Texas Public Links: Nolen, Griffin reach final
31 May 2014
by Texas Golf Association
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EULESS, Tx. (May 31, 2014) -- Quarterfinal matches were completed in the State Public Links Championship at Texas Star Golf Course with Will Griffin, Stratton Nolen, Tyler Thomas and Nathan Weant all advancing to the semifinals.
Will Griffin, who is a member of the University of Texas golf team, won his match over Jimmy Keener, 1 up, making four birdies in the final six holes to advance to the semifinals.
Opposing Griffin will be Tyler Thomas, who defeated Dillon Vaughn 3&1. Thomas is a member of the Texas State University golf team and said he is very familiar with his next opponent.
Stratton Nolen made four birdies in his first nine holes and won his quarterfinal match 5&4 over Brody Watkins. Nolen birdied Nos. 10 and 14 to clinch a spot in the semifinals.
Top-seeded Nathan Weant needed 20 holes, but closed out Drew McGee before the rain started coming down. Weant and McGee were back and forth the whole round as neither player had more than a two-hole lead on the other. Weant's par on the 20th hole clinched the match for the No. 1 seed.
Semifinals recap
The rain passed and the blue skies took control in the afternoon, as Stratton Nolen and Will Griffin both won their semifinal matches in the State Public Links Championship, advancing to the Championship Match on Sunday, June 1, at Texas Star Golf Course.
Stratton Nolen knocked off top-seeded Nathan Weant in his semifinal match, making seven birdies in 18 holes to win 1 up. Weant was dormie with two holes to play, but rolled in a 25-foot putt on No. 17 to push the match to the final hole. Weant found a rough patch with his tee shot, but was able to get his second shot up on the green. Nolen was long with his second shot, but was able to get up and down for birdie on the 18th hole, earning a spot in the championship match.
Will Griffin, who is the No. 2 seed in the tournament, made birdie on No. 3 to bring the match all square, then won the next two holes to go 2 up. Griffin made the turn 1 up on Tyler Thomas, then won holes 10, 11 and 14 to go 4 up with four holes to play. Thomas made birdie on No. 15 and par on Nos. 16 and 17 to force the match to 18 holes. Thomas would two-putt for birdie on the 18th ho le, however Griffin was able to get up and down for his own birdie, ending the match with Griffin 1 up.
Griffin and Nolen will play for the State Public Links Championship on Sunday, teeing off at 7:30 am.