Harwell wins second Texas Mid-Am Match Play title in three years

July 28, 2019 | by Texas Golf Association

Colby Harwell (TXGA photo)

Colby Harwell added another TGA championship to his decorated mid-amateur career at Shadow Hawk Golf Club

Colby Harwell defeated Jake Istnick 5 and 3 at Shadow Hawk Golf Club to win his second Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship in three years. Harwell won the 2017 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play at San Antonio Country Club and adds another TGA state championship to his decorated mid-amateur career.

Golf Course: Opened in 1999, the award-winning course at Shadow Hawk was designed by Rees Jones. The 7,207-yard, par-72 layout stretches across 274 acres of pristine land and features a great variety of shape and length of holes, ample fairways, artistic bunkering and small, elevated greens. All the subtle challenges are front and center at Shadow Hawk; there are no tricks or gimmicks. Shadow Hawk has earned the well-deserved reputation as a straightforward test of a player’s skill.

Weather: Sunny, humid morning with in the mid-80s and a slight southerly breeze.

Championship Match Summary: With the match all square through four holes, Harwell began his charge with birdies of the fifth and sixth hole to take a 2 up lead. He maintained that lead and added to it with wins on the par-3 11th and par-4 12th to go 4 up with six to play. Harwell closed out the match with a stellar approach shot on the par-4 15th, leading to Istnick conceding the hole and the match 5 and 3.

“I tweaked a few things and everything seems to be clicking,” the two-time defending Texas Mid-Amateur Champion Harwell said. “This golf course really sets up well for me; I like being able to see the landing zones and the greens which allowed me to just play my game. There is nothing tricky about this place, it is a great golf course.”

Harwell attributed his success this week to a solid performance on the greens.

“My putting has been really, really strong lately,” Harwell said. “I have gone 11 rounds without a three putt and the greens out here were perfect this week.”

About the Texas Mid-Am Match Play

Harwell wins second Texas Mid-Am Match Play title in three years

Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur golfers with a GHIN handicap index of 5.4 or less, and who are 25 years of age or older as of the first round of the Championship. Format/Field Size: Scheduled for 18 holes of stroke play qualifying on Th...

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