Zamorano and Massa Win Back-To-Back North Four-Ball Title

Briefly: Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano of Dallas win the 2024 North Four-Ball after finishing with a 123 21-under for the tournament. The side had nothing but smiles after winning back-to-back championships as partners. This is Massa’s third North Four-Ball title in a row. The partners will receive an exemption into the 2024 Texas Four-Ball.

Golf Course: Opened in 2000, Whitestone Golf Course was created by Jeff Brauer and Jay Morrish and stretches to just over 7,100 yards in Benbrook, TX. Brauer is also the creator behind Cowboys Golf Club and Tangle Ridge Golf Club in the Metroplex area. The elevation changes from tee to green throughout the course is what makes the course choose your shots wisely.

Weather: Players were greeted with incredible weather for the First Round. The morning started in the mid 50’s before climbing into the high 60s in the afternoon. The clear blue skies were mixed with a light breeze throughout the day with gusts hitting just over 10 mph. The Second Round brought stronger winds with gusts reaching up to 25mph. The Second-Round weather started in the High 50s before reaching the low 80s in the afternoon to finish the tournament.

Top Finishers: Zamorano and Massa of Dallas played dominant golf to win the title for the second consecutive year. Zamorano and Massa finished with a total of 123 21-under for the tournament. Their first round 56 included three eagles and nine birdies that separated themselves from the rest of the field. “Everything was going in,” shared Massa “We were seeing the greens well and hit some quality shots that helped us cash them in.” Zamorano and Massa shot a five-under 65 in the second round to help themselves finish with a commanding lead.

Finishing in second were the duo of Sean Heidrick of McKinney and Kolton Crawford of Azle after a 14-under 130. The side finished with seven birdies on the first day to move themselves into a strong position for the Final Round. Following behind in third was the duo of Scott Winslett and William McDonald of Dallas after a total of 12-under 132.

Finishing in a tie for fourth were duos Brock Mulder of McKinney and Nicholas Loar of Rockwall, Riley Goff of Grapevine and James DeLaGarza of Haltom City, and Marcus Jones of Argyle and Jeffrey Juillerat of Fort Worth, and all finishing with a total of 11-under 133. The Top 5 finishers and ties will receive exemptions into the 2024 Texas Four-Ball at Braeburn Country Club in August.

In seventh were the duo of Gary Ezmerlian and Colby Amparan of Fort Worth with a total of 10-under par 134.

Regional POY: North Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2024 North Four-Ball. The winning team will receive 400 points, followed by 250 for second, 200 for third, 150 for fourth, and 100 for fifth. Points will be awarded to both players on the team individually. For Regional POY information, click here.

What’s Next: The North Regional Series will head to the Courses at Watters Creek for the North Mid-Am. The tournament is set for March 22-24.

Registration for the 115th Texas Amateur is currently open and will close on March 27 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 Whitestone Golf Cub as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the North Four-Ball a memorable and successful event. For more information on the North Four-Ball, 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.