N. Carolina Amateur: Patrick slides into lead

CHARLOTTE, NC (June 7, 2014) -- Third round results of the 54th North Carolina Amateur Championship hosted by Carolina Golf Club in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, June 7, 2014 (6964 yards, par 36-35—71, 72.9/137). Sunday’s final group will contain a high school senior, college senior and the reigning North Carolina Senior Amateur Champion. Holding a two shot advantage after 54 holes is Bailey Patrick Jr. of Charlotte. In the final round of last year’s championship, he shot 64 to finish in a tie for second place. This year the field will chase after him, “I don’t know if I’ve ever held the lead going into a final round. I’m excited,” Patrick said. A senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, Patrick Jr. posted a three-under par 68 to stand at 12-under 201 for the championship. He started the day one shot behind seventeen year-old Joshua Martin of Pinehurst who fired an even-par round of 71 today. Martin has committed to join the UNC golf team, where his older brother Zachary is a sophomore. 58-year-old Jim Pearson of Charlotte is tied for second place with Martin at 10-under par for the championship after shooting three-under par 68 on Saturday. Patrick Jr. and Pearson also share a common bond; they are both members of Quail Hollow Club. Defending champion Steven Brame of Henderson is tied for 36th place at two-over par 215.