William Rainey (L) and David Sargent (R)
(Carolinas Golf Association)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC (August 13, 2016) -- Saturday's
quarterfinal and semifinal matches at Mid Pines
delivered hard fought battles to determine the final two
players in the 7th North Carolina Match Play
Championship.
No. 1 seed Josh Martin of Pinehurst defeated his
older brother, Zach Martin 4 & 2 to face William Rainey
in the semifinal. Rainey jumped out to a 3 up thru 12
hole advantage. Dormie on 17, Rainey bogeyed, giving
Josh Martin a chance to extend the match. On 18,
Martin took advantage, rolling in a six foot birdie to for
extra holes. The first extra hole, the par-5 10th at Mid
Pines, was halved with birdies. On the par-3 11th,
Rainey hit a drew the ball beautifully with a 9-iron to
convert a five foot birdie for the win.
In the other half of the bracket, 18-year-old Walker
Simas of Charlotte defeated fellow Charlotte resident
Paul Fitzgerald 4 & 3 to meet David Sargent in the
semis. Sargent never gave Simas an opening, playing
six under through 13 holes (including two eagles) to win
6 & 5 for a ticket into the finals.
The championship match will take place Sunday
morning at 8:00 a.m. EST to determine the champion.
Meet the Finalists
No. 29 seed William Rainey of Charlotte, N.C.
-21-year-old rising senior at the College of
Charleston
-9th ranked men's amateur golfer in North
Carolina
-Claimed first CGA championship at the 2016
Carolinas Four-Ball
-2016 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship
Individual Finalist
-Qualified for 2015 U.S. Amateur
-Road to the finals: Shot two-over 146 in stroke
play qualifying. Advanced into match play by holing
birdie putt on first hole of 8-for-6 playoff. Defeated No.
4 John McFadyen 3 & 1, No. 13 Patrick Cover 5 & 4, No.
28 Will Stewart 3 & 2, No. 1 Josh Martin 20 holes
-"This is awesome. I love this course. It's short, it
sets up for my game pretty well. Playing match play is
so fun. I can't wait for tomorrow."
No. 6 seed David Sargent of Cornelius, N.C.
-22-year-old recent graduate of Davidson
College
-32nd ranked men's amateur golfer in North
Carolina
-Seeking first CGA championship
-Qualified for 2011 U.S. Junior
-Road to the finals: Shot three-under 141 in stroke
play qualifying. Defeated No. 27 Patrick Langdon 3 & 2,
No. 11 Stephen Saleeby 4 & 2, No. 3 Caleb Keck 2 & 1,
No. 26 Walker Simas 6 & 5
-"It's awesome to be in the finals. It's funny, three
years ago when I missed match play l caddied for Alex
Nianouris, my roommate at Davidson, who made the
finals. I'm trying to be like him I guess, and hopefully
take it one win further. We will see tomorrow."
View results for North Carolina Amateur Match Play
ABOUT THE North Carolina Amateur Match Play
Open to any male amateur golfer 13 and older. Must
be
a resident of North Carolina and a member of a CGA
club with an index no greater than 9.9. Sectional
qualifying is required for those who do not meet the
exemption criteria. Format consists of 36 holes of
stroke play qualifying followed by a cut to the low 32
players for match play.
View Complete Tournament Information