Gant Bills rallies to Texas North Mid-Amateur Victory
Gant Bills
(TXGA Photo)
ARLINGTON, TX (March 19, 2017) -- Gant Bills wins
the 2017 Texas North Mid-Amateur after using a
three-under-par 68 to storm from behind and
capture his first Texas Golf Association Regional
Championship. 36-hole leader Joshua Irving finished
in solo third place after shooting a final round six-
over-par 78.
Gant Bills of Plano used four birdies to shoot
three-under-par, 69 to overcome his six stroke
deficit of 36-hole leader Joshua Irving. Bills had his
game with him on Sunday as he poured in four
birdies while only surrendering his lone bogey on the
tough 203 yard par three, 11th.
Without knowing where he stood for most of the
round, Bills knew he had to make some birdies to
get his round going and that’s exactly what he did.
Bills turned at two-under-par on his front side and
felt comfortable with how he game was treating him.
Taking advantage of the par fives at Tierra
Verde Golf Club was a must and Bill’s did just that.
Bills capitalized on those par fives with birdies on
the 8th, 13th and 16th.
Finishing in solo second was Fort Worth’s Will
Osborne after shooting an impressive final round of
two-under-par 70. Osborne came out of the gate
quickly as he parred his first hole, followed up with
birdies on two and three. Unlike Bills, Osborne hit a
few bumps in the road as he tallied four bogeys on
the day. After backing up his bogey-bogey on holes
four and five, Osborne carded another birdie and
turned in one-under-par.
For Osborne, this is his best career finish in the
North Mid-Amateur. With their finishes this week at
Tierra Verde Golf Club, Bills and Osborne will receive
exemptions into the playing of the 108th Texas
Amateur hosted at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas.
Earning his second Mid-Master (age of 40 or
older) award in three years, Brandon Scott held on
by one over 2016 Texas Senior Amateur Champion
Lewis Stephenson. Recognizing the low Mid-Master
this year, Scott previously won his award at the
2015 North Mid-Amateur when it was hosted at
Trophy Club Country Club (Hogan Course). Scott
found it tough to get going as he carded a final
round four-over-par 76 to finish in solo seventh
overall.
36-hole leader Joshua Irving finishes in third
place after posting a six-over-par 78 in the final
round. Irving battled through the tough windy
conditions today but couldn’t get anything to drop.
Irving’s struggle began when he reached a tough
stretch of holes five through seven.
View results for Texas North Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE Texas North Mid-Amateur
Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur
golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the
tournament start date and residing in the
North Texas region as defined by the Texas
PGA Sections (North of 31 degree parallel,
Salado TX and north is break point).
Applicants must have a certified USGA
Handicap Index of 8.4 or less.
Format: 54 holes Stroke Play. No Cut.
Field limit: 84 players.
View Complete Tournament Information