J.T. Pittman wins 92nd West Texas Amateur
J.T. Pittman (Texas Golf Association photo)
JT Pittman came through after sleeping on the lead Saturday to take the 92nd West Texas Amateur title back home to Monahans, Texas.
“I really tried not to think about anybody else,” Pittman, a sophomore at Midland College, told the TGA following his final round 70. “I just tried to just play the golf course one shot at a time and make as many birdies as I could.”
Pittman executed the plan to near perfection as he made five birdies during his final round to post a two-under effort to win by two. In winning, he was the only player in the field to break par every round.
“A lot of great players have played against me this week, hats off to them, they all played great,” Pittman said. “But I am glad I got the win.”
Among those chasing Pittman on Sunday was San Angelo native Jansen Smith. The Texas Tech junior began the final round five shots back of Pittman. Tallying a 67, Jansen was a double-bogey and a bogey on 18 away from at least forcing a playoff against Pittman. Unable to stay mistake-free, Smith will settle for a runner-up finish at 210.
Closing out the top-5 in the championship division were Michael Heidelbaugh (212), Robert Johnson (214), Collin Clark (214), and Bryce Waters (214).
In the senior division, former Texas Senior Amateur champion Lewis Stephenson came from seven shots back in the final round with a 66 to win by two shots.
In the super senior division, Doug Hopton-Jones successfully defended his 2019 West Texas Amateur title. It is his third West Texas Amateur win (2019, 2002).
It was a hot week in San Angelo, with temperatures in the mid-90s and only a little wind blowing across Bentwood Coutnry Club.
View results for West Texas Amateur
ABOUT THE West Texas Amateur
Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur golfers
who reside in either region (North/South) of the
state of Texas.
Applicants must have a certified GHIN Handicap
Index of 10.0 or less. Senior division players must be
55 years of
age as of the first round of tournament play. Super
Senior players must be 65 years of age as of the first
round of
tournament play.
Format/Field Size and Cut: The championship will be
contested over 54 holes of stroke play with three (3)
divisions;
Championship, Senior and Super Senior. Each
division will play from separate tees/yardages and
separate
champions will be recognized in each division.
At the conclusion of 36 holes the field will be cut to
the low 72 players (and ties), with a pro-rated
representation
from each division. The pro-rated allocation of
players making the cut from each division will be
reflective of the
number of players in each division, relative to the
total field size. The determination of total field size,
number of
players in each division and pro-rated representation
of players making the cut (before ties) will be
announced in
conjunction with pairings being posted.
The field is limited to 144, as outlined below:
Championship: Open (84 players)
Senior: 55 & Over (42
players)
Super Senior: 65 & Over (18 players)
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