Kittleson, Holmes hold on for one-shot win at Whisper Rock

May 11, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Chance Holmes and Drew Kittleson (Photo submitted)

Chance Holmes and Drew Kittleson held on to win the two-man best ball event by a single shot

Drew Kittleson and Chance Holmes took the lead in the second round of the National at Whisper Rock and they held onto it. The duo did just enough on Saturday at Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., to finish off a one-shot victory in the two-man best-ball event.

Holmes, a former Oregon State golfer, and Kittleson, a reinstated amateur who is perhaps most notable for his runner-up finish at the 2008 U.S. Amateur (and subsequent Masters start), combined for opening rounds of 65-67. A final round of 2-under 70 got them to 14 under, good for a one-shot win on first-round leaders Andrew Medley and Jonas Mikals.

Two teams finished tied for third at 12 under, including Hoyt McGarity and Scott Anderson along with Tony Bagneshi and Pat Moore.

In the senior division, Gene Elliott and David Nelson pulled off a title defense with rounds of 67-68-68 for a 13 under total. That was good for a two-shot win on Dave Kelly and Jerry Slagle.

ROUND TWO

Chance Holmes and Drew Kittleson took over the lead after two rounds at the National at Whisper Rock after following up an opening 65 with a second-round 67. The two are at 12 under and will take a four-shot cushion into the final round.

Holmes played college golf at Oregon State, while Kittleson played across the country at Florida State. Kittleson’s successful amateur career included a runner-up finish at the 2008 U.S. Amateur. He gave professional golf a shot, but has since been reinstated as an amateur, and qualified for last year’s U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach.

Holmes and Kittleson lead Scott Anderson and Hoyt McGarity, who have logged rounds of 66-70 for an 8-under total.

First-round leaders Andrew Medley and Jonas Mikals fell from an opening 63 to a second-round 74 on Friday, and at 7 under are now third, five shots off the pace. Two more teams are close behind at 6 under.

In the senior division, Kelly Hudelson and Brad Kropp took over the lead with a second consecutive 67. They are now 10 under, and one shot ahead of Bill Jackson and Brady Exber, who also surged in the second round with a 64. Defending champions Gene Elliott and David Nelson are also at 9 under, along with Jeff Wilson, the reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champion, and his partner Todd Barsotti.

ROUND ONE

The pace has been set at the National at Whisper Rock. In the first round of the 54-hole two-man best-ball invitational event, Andrew Medley and Jonas Mikals combined for a 9-under 63 that put them two shots ahead at Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Still, there’s a lot of tournament left.

Medley is a Scottsdale local and Mikals hails from Truckee, Calif. Mikals tied for second at the Stocker Cup last fall, and has a slew of USGA starts to his name.

Behind the lead duo, Chance Holmes and Drew Kittleson are solo second at 7 under. Kittleson is just a few days removed from advancing through U.S. Open local qualifying. He was runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Amateur, and after being reinstated as an amateur, qualified for last year’s U.S. Am at Pebble Beach.

Scott Anderson and Hoyt McGarity are third with 6-under 66 and a group of three teams are tied for fourth at 4 under.

In the senior division, Drew Steffens and Joe Worden combined for a 6-under 66. They lead four teams by one shot, including the defending champions in the senior division, Gene Elliott and David Nelson.

About the The National at Whisper Rock

Kittleson, Holmes hold on for one-shot win at Whisper Rock

A 36-hole two-man best-ball invitational event with Mid-Am and Senior Divisions. Played at both lower and upper courses at the very highly acclaimed Whisper Rock Golf Club, which boasts many Tour players among its membership.

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