William Rainey takes North Carolina Match Play
8/14/2016 | by Carolinas Golf Association
see also: View results for North Carolina Amateur Match Play, Rock Barn Golf Club
William Rainey rallied from 3 down early to win 1 up over David Sargent
On Sunday, after 85 holes played over five rounds of match play, Rainey became the 7th North Carolina Amateur Match Play champion. Staying patient after falling 3 down thru 4 holes to David Sargent of Cornelius, Rainey climbed back into the match.
A birdie putt on the par-3 11th drew the two all square. Sargent demonstrated his ability to produce red numbers in his semifinal match, playing 13 holes in seven-under-par to defeat Walker Simas 6 & 5. In Sunday's final, Sargent continued his birdie barrage, making putts on holes 3 and 4. Despite being down to Sargent early on Sunday, Rainey remained consistent, hitting 12 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens. His birdie tries burned the edges of the holes all day, until the 18th, when one finally fell into the cup. The match was tied then, Rainey had a birdie putt from 30 feet, Sargent faced a putt half that distance.
"Honestly in my head I said 'just two putt. If he two putts, great. If he makes it, then he deserves to win'," said Rainey, a rising senior at the College of Charleston. "Luckily there's a hole there and it went it. It was my best putt of the week. I felt like I was due and fortunately it was on the 18th hole to win." After Rainey's putt found the hole, Sargent's putt to force extra holes missed. The win is Rainey's second CGA championship this year. In May, he and teammate Phillip Oweida won the Carolinas Four-Ball.
"This is one of the best tournaments I've had. I played awesome," said runner-up Sargent. "It was a lot of fun. No complaints, I lost 1 up to a great player."
The 32 players who qualified for match play are exempt into next year's championship.
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 ...
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