What Happened
Stroke play concluded at the 42nd Mid-Amateur Championship at Royal Poinciana Golf Club. 84 players began the Championship and were cut down to the top 32 players for match play. Justin Grant took home medalist honors through the two rounds of stroke play. Meanwhile, 31 players finished at 6-over 146 or better to earn a spot in match play while nine players who finished at 7-over went to a playoff for the final spot.
In the playoff, the 15th hole at Royal Poinciana proved to be a tough hole for the contenders. Of the nine players, six made bogey on the first playoff hole and were eliminated from the Championship. On the third playoff hole Mark Spencer became the 32nd and final player to earn a spot in Match Play.
Early Friday afternoon saw some competitors take care of business, and quickly. Rhett Pooley, Austin Powell, Alex Slaton, Brad Knight, Joseph Latowski, and Jonah Wasserstrom all won before seeing their 16th hole of the match.
Medalist Justin Grant had trouble with the 32-seeded Mark Spencer as Spencer had a 1 up lead with two holes to play. Grant was able to win the 18th hole to force extra holes against Spencer who would be playing his 40th hole of the day and counting. The 2022 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion kept the momentum going and won the first extra hole.
What’s Next
16 players will tee of Saturday morning hoping to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. Afternoon matches will determine the semifinalists for the final day on Sunday.
Notable
· 2022 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion Justin Grant was the Stroke Play Medalist
· Two Hole-In-Ones were made on Friday: Rhett Pooley on Hole 14 and Ryan Wilkins on Hole 8
· Last man in the field after a late withdrawal, Bryan Buie, has advanced to the Round of 16
· Two FSGA Junior Match Play Champions are in the Round of 16: Rhett Pooley and Austin Powell
Quotable
“I like match play a lot. It’s been 10 years since the Junior Match play win but my game suits match play. I make a lot of birdies which helps in this format” – Rhett Pooley on his match play success
“It’s a format where anyone can win on any given day. He probably out played me the first two rounds but anything could happen once you get down to match play” – Christopher Anderson on his upset win over 4 seed Si Clemo
“The course is in phenomenal shape. The greens crew and everyone here has done just a phenomenal job. There’s been some really tough hole locations, the greens are true and they are quick.” Reid Bedell on Royal Poinciana Golf Club
Stroke Play Results | Match Play Bracket | Round of 16 Pairings
