Around the Green

Artac, who is playing for Texas Tech next year, finished with 206 strokes in the 54-hole championship. The future Red Raider enjoyed Wichita Falls Country Club, amassing 15 birdies with just eight bogeys in his three rounds. He played the par 4s at 7-under. 

“I putted really well the first two days and enjoy these old-style courses,” Artac said, “I don’t get to see a lot of bentgrass greens in the Houston area.” 

Defending champion Logan Philley finished in second place at 4-under, followed by Cory Churchman at 1-under and Matt Porter at even par. 

Trophy Club’s Clarke Kincaid and Conroe’s J.T. Taylor tied for fifth at 1-over, while Colton Kowalick, John Bearrie and Randy Lance finished in a three-way tie for seventh. 

Montgomery’s Tom McGraw made three birdies in his final nine holes to capture the Senior Division title. McGraw fired a 4-under-par 67 in the final round, which was the low score among all Divisions on Sunday, and finished at 1-under 212 for the tournament.

“These are the best greens I’ve played in years,” said McGraw.

Phil Austin of Arlington finished runner-up in the Senior Division at 2-over 215. Abilene’s Conway Jordan, who is a two-time winner of the West Texas Amateur, Irving’s Mike Peck and Fort Worth’s Hollis Sullivan tied for third. 

Wichita Falls’ Bill Holstead won the Super Senior Division, as the former player on the Champions Tour posted a final-round score of 3-over 74. Holstead finished at 1-over-par 214 for the tournament, followed by Harold Speer of Mansfield at 7-over 220 and Waxahachie’s Michael Hastings at 8-over 221.

Holstead is the last back-to-back winner of this event, winning in 1978-79. He’s a three-time champion at this event, winning for the first time in 1967.

Odessa Country Club is the site of the 2015 West Texas Amateur. 

The final results for the 86th West Texas Amateur can be viewed HERE.