Trey Bosco Wins 111th Texas Amateur

FREDERICKSBURG – Trey Bosco won the 111th Texas Amateur late Sunday afternoon after carding a final round 2-under-par 69 at Boot Ranch Golf Club. The 18-year-old from Austin captures the victory with a 72-hole total of 5-under 279.

Sunday at Boot Ranch played much like the third round. Fast and firm greens complemented by swirling gusts made the Hal Sutton-designed championship golf course challenging yet again. Playing in the final group, Bosco showed little nerves from the outset. He split the fairway with his opening drive on No. 1, found the putting surface and drained an 18-foot birdie putt. He quickly pulled within one shot of the 54-hole leader Caleb Hicks.

Bosco, Hicks and Andres Acevedo, the third player of the final group, battled throughout the front nine. By the time they made the turn, all three players were over par for the round. The leaderboard was stacked and 10 players were within two shots of the lead.

Bosco, who begins his collegiate golf career at Baylor this fall, showed poise on his closing nine. He birdied the par-5 11th, but followed it with a bogey on the par-3 12th. After pars on holes 13 and 14, he knew he needed to make a charge.

“Coming down to 15, 16, 17, I was like, OK, might need to turn on the jets a little bit,” Bosco said. “I made a bomb on 15, and then from there I just had this tunnel vision to where all the putts just seemed to drop.”

He birdied the long par-5 16th and par-3 17th for three consecutive and led the field by two shots with one hole to play. Bosco finished with a routine par to clinch the biggest amateur title in his young golf career.

“It’s still kind of sinking in, but it means the world,” Bosco said. “I’ve had kind of a rough summer with the whole quarantine and all that stuff, so to get this before I go off to college is a dream come true for sure.”

Bosco is the second straight Bear to hoist the H.L. Edwards Memorial Trophy. Ryan Grider, a redshirt junior at Baylor, won last year at Dallas Athletic Club’s Blue Course. Bosco’s name will also be etched alongside the likes of Ben Crenshaw, Charles Coody, Mark Brooks, Scott Verplank and a host of other Texas golf legends who have won the Texas Amateur.

“Being a Texas Am Champion, you get to go down in the record books,” Bosco said. “It brings me a lot of confidence. It means that I can play with all these guys and I can compete with all the top college players.”

Finishing runner-up was Hicks, who led the field through 54 holes. The UT Arlington junior struggled on the front side en route to a 4-over 39. However, he didn’t let up his fight. Hicks carded a bogey-free 3-under 33 on the back nine including a birdie on the 72nd hole to finish just one-shot off Bosco’s 5-under.

Four players shared third place at 2-under 282. Tommy Morrison, a 2023 University of Texas commit, fired the low round of the day. The 15-year-old carded five birdies and an eagle on Sunday to climb 23 spots up the leaderboard.

“I knew this morning something low had to happen,” Morrison said. “Me and my caddie just went out there and figured we had nothing to lose.”

Morrison’s closing 5-under 66 was enough to hold the clubhouse lead until the final group finished. Also at 2-under par for the championship, were Jimmy Lee, a sophomore at Texas A&M, Jacob Sosa, a 2022 Texas commit, and Andres Acevedo, a senior at Seton Hall.

Reid Davenport of Austin finished seventh at 1-under-par 283. Austyn Reily of Pottsboro and Stephen Campbell Jr. of Richmond tied for eight at even-par 284. Defending Texas Mid-Amateur champion and last year’s runner-up Chris Wheeler of Addison rounded out the top-10 at 1-over 285.

The TGA extends sincere appreciation to Boot Ranch, its attentive staff and engaged membership, as well as our volunteers for all their help and support ahead of and during the 111th Texas Amateur.

In May of this year, the TGA was forced to reschedule the Texas Amateur from its original mid-June dates after the COVID-19 crisis preempted the ability to conduct statewide events. The TGA and Boot Ranch worked together to ensure a safe and competitive championship was held in 2020.

Extra special thanks to General Manager Emil Hale, Head Golf Professional Alex Rhyne, Golf Course Superintendent Patrick Joy and his amazing grounds crew, Director of Club Operations Monica Kendrick and Executive Chef Casey McQueen. The 111th Texas Amateur would not have been possible without their efforts.

For more information on the 111th Texas Amateur, click here.

Chris Wheeler Holds Lead at 111th Texas Amateur

FREDERICKSBURG – Chris Wheeler started the second round of the 111th Texas Amateur with a one-shot lead. Despite a slow start Friday afternoon, the 37-year-old mid-amateur from Addison didn’t waiver. He carded an even-par 71 to hold onto his one-shot advantage headed into the weekend at Boot Ranch Golf Club.

Wheeler bogeyed three of his first six holes and was 2-over when he approached the par-3 seventh hole. It played 179 yards with a little helping wind. Wheeler found the putting surface and drained the putt for birdie. He birdied four of his next six holes to reach 10-under par for the championship.

“I just did my best on what was in front of me,” Wheeler said. “The rest should take care of itself as long as you’re in right position.”

Despite a bogey on the par-4 14th and a double-bogey on the par-3 17th, Wheeler’s even-par day secures a one-shot lead with 36 holes to play in the state’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship. The defending Texas Mid-Amateur champ and 2019 Texas Amateur runner-up will look to lean on his experience this weekend.

“Today was a little different than yesterday with the wind,” said Wheeler, who played professionally and reinstated as an amateur in 2011. “I kind learned the hard way that it definitely dictates how this course is going to play. I’m going to keep an eye on the wind tomorrow morning and try and stay rested.”

Andres Acevedo, who fired an opening 5-under 66, played in the morning wave on Friday. With three birdies, an eagle and four bogeys, the senior at Seton Hall University fought his way to a round of 1-under 70. He sits at 6-under 136 for the championship.

“Today, I had some hiccups, but my putter stayed solid,” Acevedo said. “I made the right decisions.”

Acevedo’s father, Ernest, is on the 21-year-old’s bag this week. The father-son duo has managed its way around Hal Sutton’s daunting championship golf course for the first time since Andres was a junior. Their composed demeanor as a team has proven to be a part Acevedo’s early success.

“He just keeps me calm and we both have super calm personalities,” Acevedo said. “He knows the game and it’s awesome to have him by my side.”

Tying for the low round of the day, Mark Reppe’s 5-under 66 moved him seven spots up the leaderboard and into a tie for second. The senior at Baylor University carded eight birdies. He’s just one shot behind Wheeler.

“I found a few more putts to go in, and I hit a few more fairways,” Reppe said. “I gave myself more opportunities and ended up with lower scores.”

Reppe, who is playing in his second Texas Amateur, said Boot Ranch is a demanding, yet fair golf course. He plans to stick with his strategy this weekend and let the scores fall where they may.

“I think it’s just important to stick to your game plan and not waiver from it,” he said. “There’s lots of holes where you have to make lots of decisions. I think if you stick to your game plan you can give yourself opportunities and make birdies.”

Two shots behind Wheeler at 5-under 138 is Caleb Hicks. The junior at UT Arlington carded four birdies and five bogeys to shoot 1-over 72 in the second round. Tyler Uhlig, who is playing in his final Texas Amateur before turning professional, remained at 4-under for the championship with an even-par 71 on Friday. He is solo fifth and will begin the weekend three off the lead.

Two Vanderbilt Commodores share six place at 3-under 139 overall. Cole Sherwood and Reid Davenport of Austin are four back and well within contention with 36 holes to play.

There were two aces on Friday. Mason Nome, who is T12 at 1-under 141, cashed in from 193 yards on the difficult par-3 12th. Andrew Gibson, who carded an even-par 71 and made the cut by two strokes, recorded his second career hole-in-one on the 181-yard par-3 fifth.

Through two rounds, there are 11 players under par for the championship. Eight of them are within five shots of Wheeler, setting the stage for a competitive finish over the weekend. The field played Boot Ranch from 7,059 yards in Round 2 and 57 players made the 36-hole cut at 6-over 148.

The third round of the 111th Texas Amateur begins Saturday at 8 a.m. at Boot Ranch. For more information on this championship, click here.

Chris Wheeler Grabs First Round Lead at the 111th Texas Amateur

FREDERICKSBURG – Chris Wheeler of Addison holds the first-round lead of the 111th Texas Amateur after turning in a brilliant 7-under-par 64 at Boot Ranch Golf Club. The 37-year-old mid-amateur finds himself in contention once again at a TGA Major Championship.

Wheeler, who finished runner-up at last year’s Texas Amateur at Dallas Athletic Club’s Blue Course, poured in birdie after birdie Thursday morning. The former professional who was reinstated as an amateur in 2011 totaled seven of them on the day on his way to a bogey-free opening round. Wheeler will carry a one-shot lead over Arlington’s Caleb Hicks headed into Friday’s second round.

“I made a lot of 5- to 10-foot putts and kept it on the golf course,” Wheeler said. “I hit my driver well, and that’s really what drove the score.”

Wheeler, who played collegiate golf at Tulane University, scored one collegiate win and two other amateur victories during his time in New Orleans. After he graduated, he won a couple of mini-tour events as a professional before returning to the amateur game.

These days, Wheeler plays with a brace on his left knee after a flag football injury nine years ago left him without an Anterior Cruciate Ligament. The ACL injury hasn’t slowed him in the least, as evidenced with his recent success at the amateur level.

Last year, following a second-place finish at the Texas Amateur, Wheeler carded rounds of 74-70-70 at Maridoe Golf Club to win the Texas Mid-Amateur and first TGA title. Since then, he has continued to find himself in contention at big events.

“I love this championship, and it means a lot to me,” Wheeler said. “I think about it all year. Boot Ranch is such a good facility, which makes it extra special.”

Foremost among those chasing Wheeler is Hicks, the UT-Arlington junior who made six birdies to post a 6-under 65. After taking some time away from competitive golf due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Hicks recently finished T15 three weeks ago at the West Texas Amateur.

“During quarantine, I kind of took a break off and then kind of had to prepare the last month,” Hicks said. “I played the West Texas Amateur and played okay and kind of found my game.”

At Boot Ranch on Thursday, Hicks said he just remained patient. He didn’t try to force anything.

“I just kind of kept toting along,” Hicks said. “I was just trying to see what I could do every shot. I guess it clicked today.”

Alone in third place is San Antonio’s Andres Acevedo, who teed off late Thursday afternoon. The wind gusts were reaching upwards of 20 mph. The Seton Hall University senior showed poise and carded five birdies and an eagle en route to a 5-under 66. His only dropped shots were on the par-4 fourth and par-4 18th. His 66 was the lowest round of the afternoon wave by three shots.

“Me and my dad, who is on my bag, we just picked out the right numbers and missed it in the right spots,” Acevedo said. “For me it’s just about putting and if I can get the ball rolling. Today, it feels good to be able to roll some putts in.”

Tyler Uhlig of Magnolia sits solo fourth following a 4-under 67 and is three shots behind Wheeler. The 23-year-old jarred four birdies and went around the Hal Sutton-designed championship course without a bogey. Uhlig is playing in his fifth and final Texas Amateur before turning professional in 2021.

“This is my last state amateur going forward for the time being,” Uhlig said. “I just wanted to enjoy this time, hopefully play well and enjoy the experience.”

Mason Nome, a sophomore at the University of Texas; Jimmy Lee, a sophomore at Texas A&M University; Jacob Sosa, a 2022 University of Texas commit and Sean Heidrick of Plano share fifth place at 2-under 69.

Opened for play in 2006, Boot Ranch was designed by PGA Tour great and 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton. The 7,155-yard, par-72 layout, which is being played as a par-71 for the Texas Amateur, meanders through groves of trees, natural water features and along the ridges and valleys of the scenic Texas Hill Country.

Sutton’s imaginative routing challenges players at every turn, with a variety of long and short holes, doglegs, sloping fairways, swirling winds and undulating green complexes. It is a demanding, but fair test of a golfer’s entire skill set that places a premium on intelligent course management and confident shot-making. Since its debut, Boot Ranch has garnered rave reviews and has consistently ranked as one of the best courses in Texas by national and state golf publications.

Boot Ranch Golf Course Superintendent Patrick Joy and his team worked tirelessly to prepare the course for the best amateurs in the state. The pure greens, lush fairways and overall immaculate condition did not go unrecognized by the players in Round 1.

“It’s perfect conditions out there,” said Nome, who is playing in his first Texas Amateur. “The greens couldn’t be better. It’s a very fair golf course. If you play your game and hit the right shots, you’re going to be rewarded. We’re just so happy to be here.”

The 132-player field played the highly rated course at 7,026 yards in the first round. Fourteen players broke par on the day. Eight of them posted scores in the 60s.

Play was suspended due to darkness at 8:30 a.m. Two groups will finish their first round Friday morning. The second round of the 111th Texas Amateur begins at 7:40 a.m. Once play concludes the field will be cut to the low 54 scores, including ties. For more information, click here.

111th Texas Amateur Set for Aug. 6-9

The 111th Texas Amateur will be contested Aug. 6-9 at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg. This year’s championship was originally slated for June but was rescheduled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conducted by the Texas Golf Association since 1906, the championship brings together the state’s most accomplished amateur players to compete for the H.L. Edwards Memorial Trophy.

“We are incredibly thankful to everyone at Boot Ranch for their flexibility and support as we worked through the logistics of the date change,” said Ian Davis, TGA Tournament Director. “It is a privilege to be able to conduct this edition of the Texas Amateur on one of the state’s most acclaimed courses, which undoubtedly will identify a worthy champion.”

This will be the first Texas Amateur and second TGA major held at Boot Ranch. Previously the club was the site of the 2010 Texas Mid-Amateur, won by Mike Minicucci of Austin.

“Boot Ranch’s ownership, members and staff are excited to host the 111th Texas Amateur,” said Alex Rhyne, Head Golf Professional at Boot Ranch. “It is our honor to host one of Texas’ oldest traditions. The entire Boot Ranch family is committed to providing a memorable experience during the Championship.”

Opened for play in 2006, Boot Ranch was designed by PGA Tour great and 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton. The 7,155-yard, par-72 layout, which will play to a par-71 for the Texas Amateur, meanders through groves of trees, natural water features and along the ridges and valleys of the scenic Texas Hill Country.

Sutton’s imaginative routing challenges players at every turn, with a variety of long and short holes, doglegs, sloping fairways, swirling winds and undulating green complexes. It is a demanding, but fair test of a golfer’s entire skill set that places a premium on intelligent course management and confident shot-making. Since its debut, Boot Ranch has garnered rave reviews and has consistently has been ranked as one of the best courses in Texas by national and state golf publications.

With a $2 million renovation completed in 2017 that included reconstruction of all bunkers and regrassing of all greens with TifEagle Bermuda, Boot Ranch will be in superb condition when the Lone Star State’s foremost amateur golfers gather in Fredericksburg.

The starting field for the 111th Texas Amateur will include 132 players, who earned entry into the championship through an exemption category or 18-hole sectional qualifying at one of 12 sites across the state from June 29 – Aug. 3.

Format for the championship is 72 holes individual stoke play. All contestants will play 18 holes Aug. 6-7. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 players and ties heading into the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

At the 110th Texas Amateur, played on the Blue Course at Dallas Athletic Club, Ryan Grider of Lewisville was declared the champion after lightning and thunderstorms washed out the final round. The 20-year-old junior at Baylor University captured the title with a 54-hole total of 11-under-par 205. Addison’s Chris Wheeler took second place at 9-under 207. Scott Abbott of Dallas and Arlington’s Paul Gonzalez shared third place at 5-under 211. Katy’s Michael Cotton, who won the 106th Texas Amateur in 2015, took fifth place at 4-under 212.

Once the action gets under way from the 111th Texas Amateur at Boot Ranch, log on to txga.org for live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as starting times and pairings.