Texas (TGA) Public Links Championship
2005 TGA PubLinks Champion
CYPRESS, TX (June 27, 2005) -- Steve Galko of Dallas claimed his first Texas Golf Association State Championship with a 3 & 2 victory over Andrew Landry of Grove in the finals of the TGA State Pub-Links Championship at Blackhorse Golf Club’s South Course. Galko was the fifth seed of the 16 players that advanced through 36 holes of stroke play qualifying to make the championship match play bracket. Landry was the co-medalist and number two seed, but never got on track in the finals, as Galko was able to post a convincing win.
Landry hit two balls in the water on the second hole, conceding the hole to Galko to give him a one up advantage. Both players missed the green on the 218 yard par three fourth hole. After Landry’s shot from the bunker rolled up to within two feet of the hole, Galko chipped in to take a two up lead and seemed to have the momentum in the match. It swung back Landry’s way after consecutive birdies on holes seven and eight to square the match. Galko birdied the ninth hole for a one up lead at the turn, then followed with another birdie on 10 to go two up. Landry missed birdie chances of five feet on 11 and nine feet on 12, while Galko scrambled to save par and keep the lead. Both players birdied the par five 15th hole, and the match ended on 16 when Landry’s tee shot went into the water hazard left of the green.
Galko, who is actually 31 instead of 28 as the TGA had reported earlier, said his short game was the key to his success. “My short game was steady all week,” Galko said. “My chipping especially, and I was able to make the putts when I had to.”
Landry is 17 and headed to Lamar University to play golf in the fall, said it was a great experience for him. “I have never played a match play tournament before,” Landry said. “This was really good for me. To play against some veteran players and some other college players and know that I can play at this level helps my confidence.”
Click here for the match play bracket