Around the Green

Hickman Wins Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play

Hickman Wins Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play

Argyle – Aaron Hickman of Tyler wins 2 &1 to claim the 2023 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship. This is Hickman’s second Title in the last four years, previously winning the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play at his home club in 2020, at Willow Brook Country Club.

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Championship Match: In Sunday morning’s Championship Match, No. 3 seed Aaron Hickman of Tyler went head-to-head against No. 17 seed Matthew Sullivan of Lewisville. Hickman struck first with a par on the par-4 first to go 1-up. The two would tie the 2^nd and 3^rd holes with a pair of pars and birdies, respectively, keeping the match at Hickman 1-up. On the 420-yard par-4 4^th, Hickman made his second consecutive birdie after sticking his approach shot seven feet. Hickman and Sullivan would then trade holes back and forth through No. 10. Sullivan added his second birdie of the front nine on the 332-yard par-4 8^th after sinking a 12-footer uphill right to left. Hickman’s largest lead on the front nine was 3 up but Sullivan fought back to get to down 1 after 9-holes.

1-up at the turn, Hickman won the 10^th after Sullivan’s par putt slide by the hole. After tying holes No. 11, No. 12, No. 13, and No. 14, Hickman’s birdie putt on the 519-yard par 5^th was conceded after Sullivan’s up and down from the bunker wouldn’t fall. Standing on the par-3 16^th, Hickman was 3 up with 3 to go, known to many as being dormie. After what looked like to be the end of the match, Sullivan’s putting came in clutch once again, he drained his 20-foot birdie putt to extend the match to No. 17. After finding the fairway on the par-4 17^th, Sullivan’s approach found the front of the green with a back left hole location. Hickman’s drive found the right rough but was able to muscle one up to the front of the green, about the same distance as Sullivan’s. After both players missed their birdie putt, Hickman’s par putt was conceded, in which crowned him the Champion.

Course: Cross Timbers Golf Course in Azle will be the host site for the 25^th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play. Opened in 1995, Cross Timbers Golf Course was designed by Texas-based architect Jeffery Brauer. Routed through a secluded woodland area near Ash Creek, the strategic 6,734-yard, par-72 layout features significant elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, natural penalty areas, and well-protected, contoured greens.

Tournament History: The Mid-Amateur Match Play is open to players 25 years of age or older and hold a handicap index of 5.4 or less. The unique format starts with 84 players competing in an 18-hole stroke play qualifying round. From there, the low 32 players will advance to the match play portion of the championship. Matches will take place over three days, with 36-holes being played Friday and Saturday for those who continue to advance, and an 18-hole championship match to crown our champion on Sunday morning.

POY Points Race: By winning the 25^th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, Hickman was awarded 750 points towards Statewide Player of the Year standings. For more information about TGA Statewide Player of the Year points, click here.

What’s Next: The TGA will conducting their North and South Amateurs to close out the regional series. The regional amateurs are schedule to be played simultaneously, August 4-6. Next on the state championship schedule is the Texas Four-Ball which will be contested August 18-20 at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview, TX. Texas Mid-Amateur and Texas Senior Amateur qualifying is underway for the TGA with sites scattered across the state for the next two months. The Texas Mid-Amateur will be hosted by Midland Country Club September 29 – October 1. The Texas Senior Amateur will be hosted by Amarillo Country Club September 8-10.

About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game.

For more information about the 25^th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, click here. To see all the scores from Cross Timber Golf Course, click here.

Championship Match

#3 Aaron Hickman vs #17 Matthew Sullivan – Hickman def. Sullivan 2&1