JT Pittman Wins 92nd West Texas Amateur

Briefly: JT Pittman of Monahans won the 92nd West Texas Amateur after a final round 2-under-par 70 at Bentwood Country Club. The Midland College sophomore finished at 8-under overall and two strokes better than the field. Lewis Stephenson of Burleson won the Senior Division by two strokes after firing a 6-under 66 in the final round. Doug Hopton-Jones of Mansfield won the Super Senior Division by three strokes after rounds of 75-73-73.

Leaderboard:
1) JT Pittman                      Monahans          68-70-70 | 208
2) Jansen Smith                 San Angelo         74-69-67 | 210
3) Michael Heidelbaugh   Dallas                   72-67-73 | 212
T4) Robert Johnson           Abilene                71-71-72 | 214
T4) Collin Clark                   Midlothian          66-76-72 | 214
T4) Bryce Waters                Midland              71-73-70 | 214
T7) Kevin Liberto                Cypress                70-75-70 | 215
T7) Jack Anderson              Round Rock         72-70-73 | 215
T7) Will Adams                    Odessa                  70-77-68  | 215

Final Results

Golf Course: Founded in 1978, Bentwood Country Club is the centerpiece of a master-planned community located near the shores of Lake Nasworthy. Designed by Billy Martindale and Jeffery Blume, the golf course has all the elements of a classic parkland layout, including narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, prominent bunkering and large, undulating green complexes. When the wind blows, as it frequently does, Bentwood Country Club provides a stern challenge for even the most accomplished players. Final Round was contested at 7,051 yards.

Weather: The temperature reached 95 degrees with steady winds at 8 mph out of the south.

Winner’s Info: Pittman fired a 2-under 70 in the final round to post 8-under for the championship and win by two strokes. The Midland College sophomore remained at the top of the leaderboard throughout the entirety of the championship and carded red numbers in all three of his rounds. Although Smith gave it a good run carding a 5-under-par 67 in his final round, Pittman maintained his composure and never lost the lead. He carded five birdies and fired 1-under-par 35s on each nine in his final round. This is Pittman’s first West Texas Amateur win.

“I really tried not to think about anybody else, I just tried to just play the golf course one shot at a time and make as many birdies as I could,” Pittman said. “A lot of great players have played against me this week, hats off to them, they all played great, but I am glad I got the win.”

Lewis Stephenson won the Senior Division after two rounds in red figures. Stephenson was seven shots behind the leader to start the final round. He rolled in nine birdies on his way to a stellar 6-under 66. This was Stephenson’s first West Texas Amateur title. He also won the 2018 Texas Senior Amateur.

Doug Hopton-Jones won the Super-Senior Division by three strokes and at 5-over 221. The 2019 defending champion adds this win to his 2019 and 2002 West Texas Amateur titles.

In Contention: Jansen Smith of San Angelo posted a 6-under 210 for the championship and finished solo second. Michael Heidelbaugh of Dallas finished at 4-under 212 to take third. Robert Johnson of Abilene, Collin Clark of Midlothian and Bryce Waters of Midland tied fourth at 2-under 214.

What’s Next: The 2020 season continues with the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler July 23-26. You can view the entire Texas Golf Association calendar here.

More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff and members of Bentwood Country Club as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the 92nd West Texas Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the West Texas Amateur, click here.

JT Pittman Takes the Lead at 92nd West Texas Amateur

Briefly: JT Pittman of Monahans leads the 92nd West Texas Amateur after a 2-under-par 70 in Round 2. He holds a one-shot lead at 6-under 138 overall. Brad Wayment of Trophy Club carded a 1-under 71 and remains atop the Senior Division by one stroke, and Ed Turner of Dallas leads the Super Senior Division by three after rounds of 74-71.

Leaderboard:
1) JT Pittman                       Monahans            68-70 | 138
2) Michael Heidelbaugh     Dallas                   72-67 | 139
T3) Robert Johnson            Abilene                 71-71 | 142
T3) Jack Anderson              Round Rock         72-70 | 142
T3) Collin Clark                   Midlothian            66-76 | 142
T6) Brian Boles                   Lubbock                72-71 | 143
T6) Jansen Smith               San Angelo           74-69 | 143
T6) Caleb Hicks                  Arlington               76-67 | 143
T6) Tyler Uhlig                    Magnolia               71-72 | 143

Round 2 Results | Final Round Pairings

Golf Course: Founded in 1978, Bentwood Country Club is the centerpiece of a master-planned community located near the shores of Lake Nasworthy. Designed by Billy Martindale and Jeffery Blume, the golf course has all the elements of a classic parkland layout, including narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, prominent bunkering and large, undulating green complexes. When the wind blows, as it frequently does, Bentwood Country Club provides a stern challenge for even the most accomplished players. Round 2 was contested at 7,067 yards.

Weather: The temperature reached 95 degrees with steady winds at 12 mph out of the south reaching gusts of 21 mph.

In Contention: JT Pittman of Monahans followed his 4-under 68 in Round 1 with a 2-under 70 on Saturday. The Midland College sophomore went out in 2-over 38, but rallied on the back nine. Pittman birdied four of his last nine holes to regain the lead and holds a one-shot advantage heading into the final round.

“In the past 36 holes, there have been some ups and there have been some downs, but all in all it has been a solid 36,” Pittman said. “I had a double today which hurt a lot, but I came back strong and made some birdies on the back nine.”

Michael Heidelbaugh of Dallas fired a 5-under 67 and is solo second at 5-under 139 overall. The incoming Texas A&M freshman carded six birdies and an eagle in Saturday’s round. Robert Johnson of Abilene, University of New Mexico junior Jack Anderson, and University of Texas at San Antonio senior Collin Clark are tied third at 2-under par. Four players in the Championship Division are tied sixth at 1-under par.

In the Senior Division, Brad Wayment of Trophy Club held his lead going into Sunday’s final round. Wayment carded six birdies in Round 2 bringing him to 4-under through 36 holes. Mike Lohner of Southlake remains one shot back after a 2-under-par 70. Lohner went out in 37 on the front side, and played strong at the turn with a 3-under 33 on the back. Jerry Slagle of Southlake and Ed Brooks of Fort Worth are tied third at 1-over par. Three players are tied fifth at 2-over par.

In The Super Senior Division, Ed Turner of Dallas carded four birdies to shoot a 1-under 71 in Round 2. Turner leads with 1-over par through 36 holes. Doug Hopton-Jones of Mansfield remains three shots back after a 1-over 73. Jim Grubbs of Austin and Lynn Cormier of Missouri City are tied third at 6-over-par. Kent Samuel of The Woodlands and Dickie Williams of Montgomery are tied fifth at 10-over par.

What’s Next: Final Round tee times start Sunday at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 & 10 tees at Bentwood Country Club.

More Info: For more information on the 92nd West Texas Amateur, click here.

Collin Clark Leads 92nd West Texas Amateur

Briefly: Collin Clark of Midlothian leads the 92nd West Texas Amateur after an opening round 6-under-par 66. Brad Wayment of Trophy Club leads the Senior Division following his 3-under 69, and Jim Grubbs of Austin leads the Super Senior Division after a 1-over 73.

Leaderboard:
1) Collin Clark                  Midlothian         66
2) JT Pittman                   Monahans          68
3) Mason Mikeska           Waco                   69
T4) Will Adams                Odessa                70
T4) Cole Grossl                 Keller                  70
T4) Kevin Liberto             Cypress               70
T4) Jake Leatherwood     Snyder                70
T4) Seth Bearden             Crowell                70

Round 1 Results | Round 2 Pairings

Golf Course: Founded in 1978, Bentwood Country Club is the centerpiece of a master-planned community located near the shores of Lake Nasworthy. Designed by Billy Martindale and Jeffery Blume, the golf course has all the elements of a classic parkland layout, including narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, prominent bunkering and large, undulating green complexes. When the wind blows, as it frequently does, Bentwood Country Club provides a stern challenge for even the most accomplished players. Round 1 was contested at 7,055 yards.

Weather: The temperature reached 104 degrees with steady winds at 7 mph out of the south reaching gusts of 13 mph.

In Contention: Clark, University of Texas at San Antonio senior from Midlothian, carded eight birdies for his tournament-leading 66. His short game played a pivotal role in his success during today’s round.

“I putted really well today,” Clark said. “I rolled in a lot of long ones and made the par putts when I needed to.”

JT Pittman of Monahans carded a 4-under 68 and sits two shots off the lead. Mason Mikeska of Waco is in solo third after a 3-under 69. Five players in the Championship Division are tied fourth at 2-under-par and four shots off the lead.

What’s Next: Round 2 starts Saturday at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 & 10 tees at Bentwood Country Club.

More Info: For more information on the 92nd West Texas Amateur, click here.

West Texas Amateur Set for July 17-19

DALLAS – The 2020 West Texas Amateur will be played July 17-19 at Bentwood Country Club in San Angelo.

Founded in 1978, Bentwood Country Club is the centerpiece of a master-planned community located near the shores of Lake Nasworthy. Designed by Billy Martindale and Jeffery Blume, the golf course has all the elements of a classic parkland layout, including narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, prominent bunkering and large, undulating green complexes. When the wind blows, as it frequently does, Bentwood Country Club provides a stern challenge for even the most accomplished players.

Scheduled for 54 holes of individual stroke play, the West Texas Amateur features three divisions: Open, Senior (55 and older) and Super Senior (65 and older). The starting field limit is 144 players, with 84 spots allotted to the Open Division, 42 in the Senior Division and 18 for Super Seniors.

At the 2019 championship, played at Midland Country Club, Jackson Markham of Dallas won the overall title with a final round 2-under-par 70. His 3-under 213 total over three days was good for a one-stroke victory over Travis Woolf of Fort Worth. After ending regulation play tied at 4-under 212, Chuck Palmer of Dallas bested Ed Brooks of Fort Worth in a sudden-death playoff to win the Senior Division. Doug Hopton-Jones of Mansfield won the Super Senior Division by two after rounds of 73-74-72.

First conducted in 1925, this year marks the 92nd playing of the West Texas Amateur, making it one of the oldest amateur competitions in Texas. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will be available here once the action gets under way from Bentwood Country Club.

ABOUT THE TGA: Founded in 1906 as the governing body of amateur golf in Texas, the TGA is an official representative of the United States Golf Association and the only licensed distributor of USGA GHIN Handicaps. We serve all golfers across Texas with elite competitive championships and recreational playing opportunities for men, women, seniors and juniors. The TGA is represented by hundreds of public and private facility Member Clubs throughout the state. It is our honor and responsibility to promote, protect and grow the game of golf on all levels. To learn more, click here.