Medalist Josh Martin is among the quarterfinalists
(Carolinas Golf Association)
SOUTERN PINES, NC (August 12, 2016) -- Stroke play medalist Josh Martin of Pinehurst began match play against the No. 32 seed Brandon Mader of Greenville, who grabbed the final spot after a five hole playoff. Martin got off to a quick start, going 2 up thru two holes before Mader rattled off three birdies to square the match at the turn. Trading holes on the back nine, a Mader bogey on hole 17 granted Martin all the cushion he needed for a 1 up victory. In his Round of 16 match, Martin again got off to a fast start, playing the first five holes three-under-par. He then won holes 11 thru 15 to claim a 4 & 3 win.
Josh will play older brother Zach Martin in the quarterfinals Saturday morning. Zach also narrowly escaped his Round of 32 match, defeating East Carolina University head golf coach Press McPhaul of Greenville with a birdie on their 19th hole. In Zach's Round of 16 match against ECU golfer Jackson Spires of Fayetteville, he held a 1 up lead on the 18th hole before Jackson hit his approach to one foot for a conceded birdie. Zach needed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to secure the 1 up win and setup the quarterfinal bout with his younger brother.
"It will be comfortable playing against Zach," said Josh. "We play together all the time." Both Josh and Zach compete on UNC-Chapel Hill's golf team, where Josh will be a sophomore and Zach a senior. "A Martin is guaranteed to be in the semifinals," Zach said with a smile.
Charlotte natives William Rainey and Will Stewart will play against each other in Saturday's quarterfinals. Both advanced into match play via the 8-for-6 playoff by converting birdie putts on the first hole. Rainey, a rising senior at College of Charleston, upset No. 4 seed John McFadyen 3 & 1 in the Round of 32. Rainey then beat UNC-Wilmington golfer Patrick Cover 5 & 3 to reach the quarterfinals. Stewart, a rising sophomore at William & Mary, rolled in a 40 foot putt on the 20th hole of his Round of 32 match to defeat Nolan Mills, IV. He then beat Anthony Perrino 3 & 2.
At 18-years-old, Walker Simas of Charlotte is the youngest player remaining in the bracket. Simas won 1 up over 50-year-old Sherrill Britt in the Round of 32 before beating Elliott Grayson of Shelby 4 & 2 to reach the quarterfinals. No. 2 seed Paul Fitzgerald of Fayetteville will be waiting. Fitzgerald, 24, cruised to victory in the Round of 32 over former UNC-Wilmington golfer David Kostyal, II, 4 & 3. He had a more difficult time knocking out 18-year-old Austin Harrill of Hickory, 1 up in the Round of 16.
Two college teammates faced-off in the Round of 16. Caleb Keck of Reidsville defeated fellow Appalachian State University golfer Alex Burris of Greensboro 4 & 3 to advance into the quarterfinals where he will meet David Sargent of Cornelius. The former Davidson College golfer beat UNC-Wilmington's Stephen Saleeby of Raleigh 4 & 2 in the Round of 16.
Players will compete in match play until the field is dwindled to the final two. The championship match will take place Sunday morning to determine the champion.
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.
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