Around the Green
The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.
CJ Brock wins North Mid-Amateur
Briefly: CJ Brock of Rockwall, TX captures the 2023 North Mid-Amateur at Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club. Brock, a member at Rockwall GA&C was able to piece together three rounds of even or better, the only player in the field to do so this week under some harsh conditions between the rain Friday and strong winds Saturday with rounds of 72-70-69 for a 5-under-par 211. With this win Brock captures his first Texas Golf Association Championship and earns an exemption into the 114th Texas Amateur at The Clubs at Houston Oaks.
Brock was able to hold off challenger Brock Mulder who shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to finish 4-under-par 212 for the tournament. The final hole was the deciding factor in for the win, Brock hit a bunker shot to one foot to save par on 18. Mulders final putt on from just off the fringe missed the cup by 3 feet left that would have forced a playoff. With his 2nd place finish, Mulder will also earn an exemption into the 114th Texas Amateur.
Golf Course: Laid out along the wind-swept shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club, formerly known as The Shores Country Club, was designed in the late 1970s by Ralph Plummer and Jeffrey Blume. Rockwall’s layout is a typical 7,000-yard-plus Plummer layout with Bermuda grass fairways and greens. Plummers design splits the course into two completely different nines with the front nine playing on Lake Ray Hubbard and the back nine playing within the Rockwall neighborhood.
Weather: Players were greeted with less-than-ideal conditions during Friday’s round. Rain and lightning postponed play by 1 hour and 45 minutes. Rain continued for the majority of the morning creating very damp general area play. Saturday’s weather lightened up and gave the players a slightly chilly beautiful morning, the wind picked up in the afternoon blowing steady out of the West. Sunday’s conditions were the best of the tournament with temperatures starting in the mid 50s and getting to 70s by the afternoon and little to no wind.
Top Finishers: CJ Brock played steady strategic golf over the 3 day tournament carding rounds of 72-70-69, after his second round the host club member at Rockwall GA&C stated “I know the course, I know the greens, I just have to go out and execute the shots.” And execute he did, being the only player in the field to not have a round over par for the tournament and cementing his championship with his final round 69. Brock carded 6 birdies each of his final two rounds to hold off the rest of the field.
Brock Mulder of McKinney finished in second place, Mulder also a member at Rockwall saved his best round for last. Mulder started the second round at even par for the tournament 144. His final round Mulder carded six birdies to only two bogies to finish one shot behind Brock at 212.
Finishing in third Kendrick Vinar of Richardson. Vinar, like Mulder, saved his best round for last carding a 68 highlighted by an eagle on hole 3 a 529 yard par 5.
Regional POY: North Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2023 North Mid-Amateur. The winning player will receive 900 points, followed by 750 for second, 650 for third, 600 for fourth, and 550 for fifth. Points will be awarded through the top 30 players and ties. For Regional POY information, click here.
What’s Next: The North Regional Series will head to Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook, TX for the North Senior Amateur.
Registration for the 114th Texas Amateur is currently open and will close on March 29 at 5:00 PM. For more information and to register for the Texas Amateur, click here.
More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff and members of Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the North Mid-Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the North Mid-Amateur, click here.
