Texas Public Links Championship: Miskell is champ
KELLER, Texas (June 24, 2007)-- The 2007 State
Public Links Championship match, featuring Terrence
Miskell of New Braunfels against Beau Willis of
Weatherford, got underway bright and early at Sky
Creek Ranch Golf Club in Keller, Texas.
The finals were a study in contrast between Miskell,
40, a two-time TGA State Player of the Year and
veteran of match play, against the 19-year-old
Willis, who just completed his freshman year at Sam
Houston State. The two teed off at 6:51 a.m., with
the morning sun just coming up over the trees. By
getting the players out early, they were able to play
at their own pace and take advantage of freshly
manicured greens.
The match got off to an exciting start with Willis
chipping in for par to halve the first hole. Miskell
won the 2nd and then went on to make consecutive
birdies on the third and fourth to take a 3-up lead.
Willis battled back, winning the sixth and seventh to
cut Miskell’s lead to 1-up.
On the difficult ninth, Miskell made par to take a 2-
up lead at the turn. Willis won the 10th, cutting the
deficit back to 1, after Miskell hit his tee shot left
into the trees and had to pitch out. Miskell made a
birdie on the par 5 12th to regain his 2-up lead.
Willis answered right back, winning the 13th hole to
again cut Miskell’s lead to 1 up.
The big swing in the match came on the par-5 15th.
Willis drove it into a fairway bunker off the tee and
was forced to play out sideways. After his third shot
found a lateral water hazard behind the green he
conceded the hole to Miskell, going 2-down for the
fifth time in the match.
After Willis missed a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th
hole, Miskell made a clutch 5-footer for the tie and
maintained his 2-up lead with two to play. On the
17th hole, Miskell had the honor and hit a solid shot
into the middle of the green on the long par 3.
Needing to win the hole, Willis came up short with
his tee shot and wasn’t able to get up and down.
Miskell made a routine par to close out a 3 and 1
victory.
Terrence Miskell has won many titles throughout his
decorated career, but the 2007 State Public Links
marks his first individual championship since moving
to Texas from California. Miskell has been on a roll
in 2007. In April, he and two other members from
Dos Rios Golf Club in New Braunfels teamed up to
win the State Club Team Championship at Comanche
Trace in Kerrville. A few weeks later, he partnered
with Trip Kuehne to capture the State Four Ball
Championship at Horseshoe Bay. He continued his
solid play with a fourth place finish at the State
Amateur, held June 7-10 at Whispering Pines Golf
Club. The State Public Links title makes it three of
four championship trophies for Terrence Miskell so
far this year.
The defending State Player of the Year currently
holds a comfortable lead in his attempt for a repeat
title and also sits atop the standings to represent
Texas in the USGA Men’s State Team Championship,
to be played from September 18-20 on the Tom
Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in The
Woodlands.
--Story courtesy TGA