Einstein is Brilliant in North Carolina Match Play Final

8/5/2018 | by Carolinas Golf Association

Brandon Einstein (CGA photo)

With a clutch shot late, Brandon Einstein of Clemmons heads to the U.S. Am at Pebble Beach with a state title under his belt

GASTONIA, NC (August 5, 2018) - No. 10 seed Brandon Einstein of Clemmons, N.C. is the 9th North Carolina Match Play champion. Einstein defeated No. 1 seed Carson Ownbey of Candler, N.C. 2 and 1 in the final match. Einstein did not lead the match until the 16th hole, but kept it close throughout the round, never falling back more than 1 down. An errant tee shot on No.16 looked as though it might be costly for Einstein but a sensational approach shot from the left-side rough set up a 10-foot birdie putt that he would make to take the lead 1 up. Ownbey won medalist honors and had been sharp all week, but it was his turn to make a rare mistake off the tee on No. 17. His drive put him behind a tree on the left side and left him with a difficult approach while Einstein comfortably made it on the green in two. Ownbey would get to the edge of the green, but went on to three-putt for bogey as Einstein made his par to secure the title. Einstein said, "He would win a hole, I would win a hole, he would win a hole, I would win a hole, it was all about staying focused really." Yesterday, Einstein said his struggles off the tee forced him to use three-wood on most holes, but today he was much more accurate all around the board. "Just hitting those fairways and greens," said the incoming freshman at High Point University, "Making a bunch of pars always comes up big." Einstein said he made sure to keep a level head and "stay in my own lane" throughout the match. Einstein certainly made sure to acknowledge the challenge that Ownbey put up and recognize the friendship they have formed over the years. "We were just being buddies out there. It kept us relaxed and calm and I didn't get too tensed up," added Einstein. Einstein is headed to Pebble Beach Golf Links next week to partake in the U.S. Amateur Championship and he said that this win gives him a huge confidence boost going into the prestigious tournament. As for what it means to him to win the North Carolina Match Play Championship, he was caught speechless. "I can't really think of it. It's just awesome."

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 ...

Most Popular Articles

2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced

Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing

2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING

Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year

2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners

Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.

Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch

Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory

Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s

Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original

Filters

Related Tournament

North Carolina Amateur Match Play

View Details

Loading latest news...