Bret Gray Leads 114th Texas Amateur after Round 1

HOCKLEY – There are numerous ways to construct a successful gameplan for elite competitive championships such as the 114th Texas Amateur. Bret Gray from San Antonio found something that works for him, and he used it to shoot a sizzling 5-under-par 66 on Thursday at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. That was good for a one-shot lead after 18 holes at the state’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship.

“I just played simple golf,” said Gray, who poured in five birdies and an eagle against two bogeys. “I took advantage of the par 5s and the downwind holes. I didn’t hit it phenomenally, but I got up and down when I had to.”

A sophomore at Sam Houston State and the 2022-23 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Gray understated his performance on the par 5s at Houston Oaks. More accurately, he blitzed them with three birdies and an eagle to go 5-under on those four holes. He said his affinity for the golf course only increased after Thursday.

“Houston Oaks is awesome, said Gray, a two-time collegiate winner who posted six top-10s last season. “It’s a great venue for the Texas Am. It’s in great condition; the greens are rolling great. The course is kind of penal, though. You can put yourself in some bad spots and make some big scores, but if you keep it on the right side of the hole, you’ll be OK.”

One shot behind Gray is Plano’s Ethan Fang, who shot an impressive 4-under 67. The incoming California-Berkeley freshman was the runner-up at last month’s Class 6A Individual State Championship for Plano West High School.

Fang started his round on Hole 10 and promptly birdied five of the holes on the back nine of Houston Oaks.

“I hit the ball really good today,” said Fang, who skipped his Wednesday practice round at Houston Oaks and instead qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur in Granbury. “I think I hit every fairway. Other than that, it was just a good round of ball striking. My putting was good, too. It’s a fun course to play.”

Alex Papayouanou from The Woodlands sits two shots back at 3-under 68. The incoming UCLA freshman recently won the District 13-6A individual championship for The Woodlands High School.

He started on Hole 10, and after a double bogey on the par-5 16th, Papayouanou finished his first nine holes at 2-over par.

“Once I got to the turn,” he said, “I just turned it on.”

Papayoanou rolled in a birdie on the par-4 third hole, then cashed in an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. He added birdies on the par-3 seventh and par-5 eighth to get to 3-under overall.

“It was a grind out there today,” he said. “I’ve been hitting it well, though, and I’m really happy with how I played today.”

Five players share fourth place at 2-under 69 after the first round. That group includes Garrett Leek from Brock, Connor Adams from Dallas, Luke Dossey from Austin, Joe Stover from Dallas, and Joey Gullion from Spring.

Typical for this time of year, the heat was a factor at the 114th Texas Amateur, which is a walking-only event.

By 1 p.m., the mercury showed 93 degrees, but the heat index pushed up to 101. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for most of Southeast Texas, including Hockley and the vast Houston Oaks property.

“You’re sweating so much that you’re losing grip of the club,” said Chris Wheeler, the 2022 North Texas Player of the Year who shot a 1-under 70 on Thursday. “You’re trying to conserve your energy and stay hydrated as best you can. I’ve played in this event enough times to know the heat and the walking have a cumulative effect. By the time Day 4 rolls around, you really start to feel it.”

The temperature climbed to 97 degrees by 3 p.m., with a heat index of 108. Even as late in the afternoon as 6 p.m., it was still 95 degrees with a triple-digit heat index. The cloud cover from the morning burned away, leaving the competitors exposed to the oppressive sun for much of the afternoon. The wind kicked up a bit, too. It was a steady 10-15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph as the day wore on.

C.J. Brock, one of the more experienced mid-amateurs in the field, said the heat took a toll on him physically and mentally.

“Honestly, I don’t know if it’s possible to drink enough fluids while you’re on the golf course,” said C.J. Brock, who shot a 1-over 72. “But it’s also much more of a mental challenge. You start to lose it mentally before you lose it physically. I had some shots today, like on the short par-3 fifth hole, where I just couldn’t get comfortable. It was because of the heat.”

Sitting at the center of the sprawling, nearly 1,200-acre property, the golf course is the crown jewel of Houston Oaks, a multi-faceted club that also features a shooting range, a six-court tennis club, pickleball courts, wine club, fishing club, and a swim club. There’s also a baseball field, an equestrian club, and a hen house that produces farm-fresh eggs to its world-class dining facilities.

In short, it’s an amazing club that literally has something for everyone.

Once known as Tennwood Country Club in the 1950s, the course was a private facility for the employees of Tenneco Oil & Gas. The club was bought by three Houston families in the mid-2000s and received a massive, multimillion dollar renovation in 2016-17 by acclaimed architect Chet Williams, formerly of Jack Nicklaus Design.

The result was a spectacular, 7,007-yard, par-71 masterpiece that weaves around – and sometimes through – massive, centuries-old oak trees, of which there are more than 1,000 on the property. Certain holes, such as the 16th and 17th, feature gigantic oaks in the fairway that require thoughtful planning or specific shot shapes to avoid.

In addition to several natural water features, another one of Houston Oaks’ defenses is the widespread native areas covered in Bahia grass. In the same family as the ultra-sticky Paspalum grass, the Bahia at Houston Oaks stands about knee-high length and is as thick as cold spaghetti.

“Luckily, I avoided hitting it in there today,” Wheeler said. “I did go in there for a couple ball searches, though. Good luck finding anything in there. You have to step on it or get lucky somehow. Most likely, it’s gone.”

This week marks the second time Houston Oaks has opened its door to a TGA major championship. It also welcomed the Texas Mid-Amateur in 2021. In addition, Houston Oaks hosted the 2018 Texas Shootout, 2020 Jackie Burke Cup, multiple U.S. Women’s Open qualifiers, and the 2022 and ’23 Big 12 Conference Match Play Championship.

A total of 16 players broke par for Round 1. Another 14 competitors are within six shots of Gray at 1-over 71, including Trey Bosco, who won the 111th Texas Amateur in 2020.

Award Show

During Wednesday night’s exceptional Players’ Reception at Houston Oaks, the TGA honored last season’s top players, as well as two standout volunteers.

Colleyville’s Zach Atkinson received the night’s biggest award. The longtime amateur stalwart and TGA Director picked up a beautiful bronze 2022 Texas Player of the Year trophy for his consistent, elite performances last summer. Atkinson finished second at the 2022 Texas Mid-Amateur and was a semifinalist at the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play. He also tied for fourth place at the 113th Texas Amateur, a championship he won back in 2004.

Wheeler took home the 2022 North Texas Player of the Year award. Wheeler won the North Texas Four-Ball with his partner Bobby Massa. Wheeler finished fourth at the North Texas Mid-Amateur, tied for fifth at the North Texas Amateur, and was solo sixth at the 2022 West Texas Amateur.

Boosted by a victory at the South Texas Amateur, Austin’s Dan Depasquale won the 2022 South Texas Player of the Year. He also tied for eighth at the West Texas Amateur and shared a piece of ninth place at the South Texas Four-Ball with his partner Jermaine Rakoczy.

Ed Rapp from Houston was honored as the 2022 South Texas Volunteer of the Year, and Ken Renwick from Dallas picked up the 2022 North Texas Volunteer of the Year. The volunteers are the lifeforce that make TGA Championships possible. It’s their hard work and tireless dedication that create memorable and exciting experiences for the players. We can never thank Rapp, Renwick, and all their colleagues for their help.

By the Numbers

1 – This is the first time Houston Oaks has played host to the Texas Amateur.

4 – There are four past Texas Amateur champions in the field, including Atkinson (2004), Austin’s Trey Bosco (2020), Pottsboro’s Austyn Reily (2021), and defending 2022 champion Holden Wisener from Dallas.

4, part 2 – There are four sets of brothers playing in the 114th Texas Amateur: Aiden and Deacon Dortch, Luke and Sam Dossey, Hayes and Holden Hamilton, and Trevor and Trenton Mierl.

5 – Houston Oaks boasts five par 3s, making precise iron play crucial. The holes range in length during the 114th Texas Amateur from 115 yards to 240 yards. “The par 3s are tough out here,” said Gray, the leader after Round 1. “Even the shortest hole of the day. I bogeyed it, and it was only playing 117 yards. If you play the par 3s good this week, I feel like you have a pretty good chance.”

16 – The youngest player in the field this week is 16-year-old Finn Burkholder from The Woodlands. There are three other 16-year-olds playing this week, as well.

26.2 – The average age in this year’s championship.

54 – This year’s eldest statesman is 54-year-old Bill Skorheim from Spring. There are no senior amateurs in the field, a scenario that hasn’t happened in several years.

144 – A full field of 144 players comprises this year’s championship.

1,176 – A record number of amateur golfers registered to qualify for this year’s Texas Amateur. The 1,176 entries surpassed the 1,010 accepted at the 111th Texas Amateur in 2020 at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg.

Next Up

Round 2 of 114th Texas Amateur begins Friday at 7:30 a.m. For more information, including complete scoring, click here.

114th Texas Amateur Set for June 15-18

The Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley is poised to host the 114th Texas Amateur. Conducted by the TGA since 1906, this year’s championship is scheduled for June 15-18.

“The goal of hosting the Texas Amateur started several years ago, and we’re very excited that all the hard work has come to fruition,” said Bob Gusella, The Clubs at Houston Oaks’ General Manager. “To be able to welcome the finest amateur golfers in the state for the 114th Texas Amateur this summer is an honor and a privilege for us. We can’t wait to showcase our club and our unique brand of Texas hospitality.”

This year’s Texas Amateur will be the second TGA men’s major and third overall TGA championship conducted at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. The club previously hosted the 2018 Texas Shootout and the 2021 Texas-Mid Amateur.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to The Clubs at Houston Oaks for the 114th Texas Amateur,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “The owners, members, and staff at Houston Oaks are such tremendous supporters of amateur golf, and we are excited to extend our relationship with them and to work together in conducting an unforgettable championship.”

The Clubs at Houston Oaks has been constantly growing and evolving ever since three couples got together to purchase the old Tennwood Country Club in the mid-2000s. They gave it a new name and purpose and implemented a long-range plan to enhance the entire facility in a multi-step approach. When it came time to redo the existing golf course, the new owners hired noted Texas-based architect Chet Williams.

In early 2016, Williams began work on a comprehensive overhaul of the course that involved reimagining everything above ground and modernizing all below-ground systems as well.

Following the completion of the 17-month, multimillion-dollar remodel, the modern-day Houston Oaks course was unveiled in late 2017. Williams’ stunning 7,007-yard, par-71 layout meanders through groves of centuries-old oak trees and in and around natural water features and vast native areas. The course features gentle undulations throughout with a wonderful variety of strategic challenges including long and short holes, doglegs, cleverly placed bunkers, and large green complexes.

“At first glance, it may not look as intimidating as some courses, but it’s a fantastic test of golf,” Gusella said. “The players will need precision and discipline starting from the tee box. They will need to hit the fairways most importantly, and then carefully maneuver their way around from there to score well.”

The golden opportunity to compete for the state’s most coveted amateur title at such a highly regarded venue as Houston Oaks was not lost on the players. The TGA accepted a record 1,176 entries for the 114th Texas Amateur, eclipsing the previous record of 1,010 accepted entries for the 111th Texas Amateur in 2020 at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg. It is just the second time entries have surpassed the 1,000 mark.

“The Clubs at Houston Oaks is well known around the state, and we knew from the start there would be a tremendous amount of interest for this year’s championship,” Guthrie said. “It’s very gratifying to set a record for the number of entries, because it shows just how excited players are about competing in the Texas Amateur at such a special place.”

Holden Wisener of Dallas won last year’s Texas Amateur in a playoff at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler and is one of four past champions among the 41 players who were fully exempt from having to qualify. Joining Wisener are Austyn Reily of Pottsboro (2021), Trey Bosco of Austin (2020), and Zach Atkinson of Colleyville (2004).

Top finishers from the 2022 championship are also among the group of exempt players and include Hayes Hamilton of Kingwood (who finished T4), Francois Jacobs of League City (T4), Travis Woolf of Fort Worth (7th), Hunter Bott of Montgomery (T8), Garrett Leek of Brock (T8), and Cody Winkler of McKinney (T11).

To determine the remaining 103 spots in the 144-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held April 10 – June 6 at 14 sites across the state.

The format for the walking-only championship is 72 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both June 15-16. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scorers and ties heading into the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than June 12. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Clubs at Houston Oaks.

The Texas Amateur is the state’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship and is one of the four men’s majors on the TGA’s annual schedule along with the Texas Four-Ball, Texas Senior Amateur and Texas Mid-Amateur. Notable past Texas Amateur champions include Charles Coody, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke, Mark Brooks, Scott Verplank, Bob Estes, and Will Zalatoris.

2023 TEXAS AMATEUR NOTES

PAR AND YARDAGE: For the Championship, The Clubs at Houston Oaks will play approximately 7,007 yards with a par of 35-36 – 71.

SCHEDULE OF PLAY: Thursday, June 15 – First round, stroke play (18 holes). First wave starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees; Second wave starting times begin at 12:30 p.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees.

Friday, June 16 – Second round, stroke play (18 holes). First wave starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees; Second wave starting times begin at 12:30 p.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. The starting field of 144 players will be cut after 36 holes to the low 54 scorers and ties.

Saturday, June 17 – Third round, stroke play (18 holes). Starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees.

Sunday, June 18 – Final round, stroke play (18 holes). Starting times begin at 7:30 a.m. off No. 1 and No. 10 tees. Lowest scorer for 72 holes will be the champion. In the event of a tie for the Championship, a hole-by-hole play-off will be held immediately following regulation play.

H.L. EDWARDS MEMORIAL TROPHY: The winner of the Texas Amateur receives custody of the H.L. Edwards Memorial Trophy, named in honor of Harry Lee Edwards, the “Father of Golf in Texas.” Edwards earned the descriptive title because he helped to establish the TGA in February of 1906, served as its first president, and won the first-ever Amateur Championship. Additionally, Edwards was also a founding member of both Dallas Country Club and Brook Hollow Golf Club.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONS SUCCESSFUL ON TOUR: Ten past Texas Amateur champions have combined for a remarkable 58 wins on the PGA Tour: Ben Crenshaw (1972) – 19; Bruce Lietzke (1971) – 13; Mark Brooks (1979, 1981) – 7; Scott Verplank (1982, 1984-85) – 5; Bob Estes (1988) – 4; Charles Coody (1959) – 3; Earl Stewart, Jr. (1947) – 3; Don Massengale (1958) – 2; Marty Fleckman (1964) – 1; and Will Zalatoris (2014) – 1.

FOLLOW THE TEXAS AMATEUR: Once the action gets underway from The Clubs at Houston Oaks, log on to the TGA website for up-to-date Texas Amateur news and information, including starting times, pairings, live scoring, and daily recaps. For enhanced Texas Amateur coverage, follow the TGA’s social media feeds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

113th Texas Amateur Set for June 16-19

Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, and the best amateur golfers from around the state will be in on the festivities. As one of the highpoints of the yearlong centennial commemoration, Willow Brook will play host to the 113th Texas Amateur. The championship, conducted by the Texas Golf Association since 1906, will take place from June 16-19.

“The TGA is thrilled to return the Texas Amateur to Willow Brook Country Club,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Senior Tournament Director. “To have the opportunity to continue our long-standing relationship with Willow Brook and to conduct our oldest championship at a club that has been a proud supporter of the amateur game is truly special.”

This will be the second Texas Amateur and ninth overall TGA championship to be contested at the renowned East Texas club.

The last time the Texas Amateur was played at Willow Brook Country Club was in 1964. Marty Fleckman of Port Arthur, one of the best amateurs in the country, won the title that year with a 2-and-1 victory in the final match against Richard Yates. It was also the last Texas Amateur conducted as a match-play championship before switching to a stroke-play format.

In the years that followed, Willow Brook has hosted two Women’s Texas Amateurs (1967, 1996), three Texas Senior Amateurs (1993, 2003 and 2013) and most recently, the 2019 Texas Shootout and 2020 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play.

Additionally, from 1990-99, Willow Brook was the home of the Eisenhower International Golf Classic, a partnership between the University of Texas at Tyler and Sister Cities International. The annual fundraising event would attract some of the biggest stars on the PGA Tour, as well as an eclectic mix of celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.

“Willow Brook has a long history of hosting prominent state championships, and we are very excited to have the opportunity to host the 113th Texas Amateur during our 100th Anniversary,” said Chris Hudson, Willow Brook’s Director of Golf. “Willow Brook has always been a huge supporter of the TGA, and the membership and staff are very much looking forward to providing the players with a truly memorable experience.”

Founded in 1922, Willow Brook Country Club began as a nine-hole course. The club expanded to 18 holes following World War II and was designed by Texas Golf Hall of Fame architect Ralph Plummer. The course went through several modifications over its history, most notably in 1978 by Joe Finger, also a Texas Golf Hall of Famer, and in 2002 by PGA Tour veteran Mark Hayes.

In the mid-2010s, with the milestone 100th anniversary on the horizon, the club hired Tripp Davis & Associates, a respected golf architectural company based in Norman, Okla., to prepare an overall master plan that would take the course into the next century.

Completed in 2018, the extensive renovation and modernization project included the rerouting of several holes, rebuilding and reshaping greens and rebuilding and shifting tee boxes and bunkers to enhance and fortify the strategic design elements. To improve playing conditions, all greens were resurfaced with TifEagle Bermuda and fairways with Latitude 36 Bermuda.

“Willow Brook was very fortunate to have Tripp Davis redesign the course beginning in 2014 with a long-range plan,” Hudson said. “Tripp’s goal was to make the course more challenging, requiring the player to use a strategic approach and execute well-planned shots. I think he accomplished what he set out to do and made it a fantastic course.”

Davis’ acclaimed efforts heightened the old school nature of the 6,782-yard, par-71 layout. The rolling, tree-lined fairways dogleg both left and right, putting a premium on accuracy off the tee. Course management, precision and distance control are also keys to scoring well, owing to the well-guarded, contoured green complexes.

“Willow Brook Country Club’s classic parkland layout has stood the test of time and with the recent refinements will provide a challenging test for the state’s premier amateur golfers and identify a worthy champion,” Untiedt said.

The TGA accepted 982 entries for the 113th Texas Amateur, just three shy of the record 985 established in 2021. A total of 44 players were officially awarded exemptions to the championship. To determine the remaining 100 spots in the 144-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held at 14 sites across the state from April 2-June 6.

The list of decorated amateurs who will assemble at Willow Brook Country Club is headed by University of Houston senior Austyn Reily of Pottsboro, who won the 112th Texas Amateur at Midland Country Club. Reily carded rounds of 70-71-67-70 to finish at 10-under-par 278 and earned a one-stroke victory over runner-up Jake Doggett of Hutto. He will look to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back championships in nearly 20 years.

Joining Reily are several top finishers from last year’s championship, including Doggett (2nd), Clayton King of Uvalde (4th), Michael Heidelbaugh of Dallas and Chris Berzina of Fort Worth (T5), and Shaheen Momin of Sugar Land (T7).

Among the other notable players who will be competing in the 113th Texas Amateur are a number of recent TGA statewide and regional champions. They are Aaron Pounds of The Woodlands (2021 Texas Junior Amateur), Jason Schultz of Allen (2021 North Texas Amateur), Padden Nelson of Houston (2021 South Texas Amateur), Garrett Leek of Brock (2021 West Texas Amateur), Gary Durbin of Houston (2019, ’21 Texas Senior Amateur), Frederick Janneck of Fort Worth (2021 Texas Mid-Amateur), Ryan O’Rear of Leander (2020 Texas Mid-Amateur), and host club member Aaron Hickman of Tyler (2020 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play).

The format for the walking-only championship is 72 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both June 16-17. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 scores and ties heading into the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Live scoring updates, daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings, will be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Willow Brook Country Club.

112th Texas Amateur Set for June 17-20

The state’s foremost amateur golfers are headed west and will gather at Midland Country Club from June 17-20 for the 112th Texas Amateur Championship.

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to return to Midland Country Club,” said Chris Untiedt, TGA Tournament Director. “The club has a long history of supporting amateur golf and we are confident the course will rigorously test every facet of a player’s game and identify a worthy champion.”

This will be the fourth Texas Amateur and sixth TGA major championship to be contested at Midland Country Club.

The three previous Texas Amateurs were played in 1965 (won by Randy Petri), 1971 (won by Bruce Lietzke) and 1997 (won by Ed Brooks). Midland Country Club also hosted the 1963 and 2001 Women’s Texas Amateurs (won by Sandra Palmer and Denis Flores, respectively).

More recently, Midland Country Club hosted the 2020 TGA Women’s Four-Ball (won by Faith Delagarza and Amari Smith) and 2019 West Texas Amateur (won by Jackson Markham). The club also was the site of the Web.com Tour’s WNB Golf Classic from 2002-14.

“It is a huge honor to welcome the Texas Amateur back to Midland Country Club,” said Head Golf Professional Eric Dunkerson. “Midland Country Club is proud to have such a rich history of championship golf and we are excited to continue this legacy and showcase our club by once again hosting the state’s premier amateur championship.”

Midland Country Club was founded in 1927 and moved to its current location in the mid-1950s with an 18-hole course designed by Ralph Plummer. Over the years numerous upgrades have been made to course, and in 2017, Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design completed a comprehensive renovation in time for the club’s 90th anniversary. The $8.9 million dollar, 11-month-long project included building new greens, tees, bunkers and lakes, which has fortified the strategic elements of Plummer’s original design.

“The newly renovated course will provide a great stage for this year’s Texas Amateur,” Dunkerson said. “It’s a par-72 that can stretch to over 7,400 yards from the back tees. The course will be in excellent condition for the championship and when you factor in the West Texas winds it will present a true test of skill for the state’s best amateurs.”

The TGA accepted a record 985 entries for the 112th Texas Amateur at Midland Country Club, eclipsing the previous high of 883 for the 2019 championship at Dallas Athletic Club. A total of 33 players were fully exempt from qualifying based on past performance. To determine the remaining 111 spots in the 144-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held at 14 sites across the state from April 6 – June 9.

The list of decorated amateurs who will assemble at Midland Country Club is headed by Baylor University sophomore Trey Bosco of Austin, who won last year’s championship at Boot Ranch Golf Club in Fredericksburg. Bosco carded rounds of 72-71-67-69 to finish at 5-under 279 and earned a one-stroke victory over runner-up Caleb Hicks of Arlington. He will look to defend his title and become the first player to win back-to-back championships in nearly 20 years.

A large contingent of elite players from the junior, collegiate and mid-amateur ranks will be looking to dethrone Bosco, including 2019 Texas Mid-Amateur champion Chris Wheeler of Addison, two-time Texas Junior Amateur champion Zach Heffernan of Fair Oaks Ranch, 2020 Texas Player of the Year Colby Harwell of San Antonio, reigning Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play champion Aaron Hickman of Tyler, 2020 LJT Player of the Year Matthew Comegys of Plano and 2020 West Texas Amateur champion J.T. Pittman of Monahans, to name a few.

Format for the championship is 72 holes individual stroke play. All contestants will play 18 holes June 17-18. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 54 players and ties heading into the final two rounds on the weekend.

Live scoring updates, daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings, will be available once the action gets underway from Midland Country Club. For more on the 112th Texas Amateur, click here.

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.

Caleb Hicks Leads 111th Texas Amateur by Two Shots

FREDERICKSBURG – Caleb Hicks from Arlington is 18 holes away from capturing the biggest amateur title in his young career. The 20-year-old UT Arlington junior battled difficult conditions on Saturday and carded and even-par 71 in the third round of the 111th Texas Amateur. Hicks leads by two shots headed into Sunday’s final round at Boot Ranch Golf Club.

Moving day at this year’s Texas Amateur was defined by swirling winds, firm and fast greens and a player’s ability to manage their fatigue. The Hal Sutton-designed championship golf course stretches across rugged Texas Hill Country landscape highlighted by dramatic elevation changes. Including Wednesday’s practice round, Hicks, as well as the 56 other players who made the 36-hole cut, walked their fourth round of golf this week. The 54-hole leader said Round 3 was about staying patient.

“It was a tough one today,” Hicks said. “Greens were getting crispy and firm and hard and fast. You had to golf your ball to shoot a low number today.”

Hicks carded three birdies and three bogeys to remain at 5-under overall. He was the only player in the final two groups to post a round at even par or better. After taking a break from golf during the quarantine, Hicks has approached this week with a relaxed attitude. He’ll begin the final round with a two-shot lead in the state’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship.

“I’m just going to go hang out with the guys and try not to think about it,” Hicks said. “I’ll show up to my tee time and hit that tee ball.”

Trey Bosco of Austin made the biggest move on Saturday. The 2020 Baylor University commit began the day T17 and eight shots off the lead. He carded birdies on the par-3 second, par-5 third and par-4 ninth en route to a 3-under 32 on his opening nine. He closed with a birdie on the par-4 18th to card a 4-under 67, the second lowest round of the day. Bosco will join Hicks and Andres Acevedo in Sunday’s final group.

Acevedo, who is playing in his first Texas Amateur, played alongside Mark Reppe of Dallas and the 36-hole leader Chris Wheeler of Addison. Throughout their third round, all three players struggled. The wind steadily picked up throughout the afternoon making Boot Ranch more and more difficult. Acevedo finished 3-over par on his round and is tied second.

“I wasn’t putting it as solid and ball striking was a little off,” Acevedo said. “I held it together for most of it.”

Acevedo’s 74 was the low-round in his group. Reppe carded a 4-over 75, while Wheeler signed for a 6-over 77. Despite giving back a few strokes, Acevedo says he was pleased overall with his fight.

“I was pretty happy with the way I grinded,” Acevedo said. “I haven’t been in contention in a while so it’s nice. I just got to prepare for conditions just like this. All I can do is focus on my mental game and see where that takes me.”

Five players share fifth place at 2-under 211. They include 2020 University of Texas commit Scott Roden, 2020 University of Oklahoma commit Stephen Campbell Jr., 2022 University of Texas commit Jacob Sosa, University of Houston sophomore Austyn Reily and Baylor University senior Mark Reppe. They begin Sunday’s final round three shots behind Hicks.

The 111th Texas Amateur’s final round looks to be a battle. Fourteen players are within five shots of the lead. Nothing is certain in major championship golf; however, the final round of this year’s Texas Amateur is set up for a dramatic finish. It all gets started Sunday at 8:00 a.m. For live scoring, videos and more information, 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.

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.

Men’s Championship Updates (COVID-19)

For the first time in just under three months, the TGA returned to conducting first-class competitions for the benefit of its membership. With new health and safety protocols in place, the 21st Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, held June 2-4 at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, went off without a hitch.

The gradual easing of state and local lockdown restrictions, coupled with the successful implementation of new tournament safety guidelines for players, staff, volunteers, spectators and host club staff, has allowed the TGA to revisit and make adjustments for the upcoming Men’s Championships listed below.

Texas Father-Son (July 10-12, Omni Barton Creek, Austin)

With the state moving into Phase 3 of reopening, the Texas Father-Son starting field size will be expanded to the original 80 teams (160 players). The championship will also be played under the original format. There will also be shared carts and the utilization of double-tee, double-wave starting times.

For more information about the Texas Father-Son, click HERE.

West Texas Amateur (July 17-19, Bentwood CC, San Angelo)

The West Texas Amateur will be played under the original format and will return to the original field size of 144 participants in three divisions (Championship, Senior and Super Senior).

Entries will now be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Those that have earned an exemption will have a reserved spot in the field provided they register by the Exempt Entry Deadline. With the expanded field size there will be a cut following 36 holes of play. There will also be shared carts and the utilization of double-tee, double-wave starting times.

For more information about the West Texas Amateur, click HERE.

Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play (July 23-26, Willow Brook CC, Tyler)

The Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play will be played under the original format and original field size (84 players).  Shared carts ridership will be allowed throughout the championship, including the Stroke Play Qualifying Round.

For more information about the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play can be found HERE.

111th Texas Amateur (Aug. 6-9, Boot Ranch GC, Fredricksburg)

When the decision was made in April to reschedule the 111th Texas Amateur to August 6-9, 2020, the starting field size was reduced from 144 to 120 participants. At the time, this change was seen as necessary because of the expected lower qualifying numbers as a whole, given the reduced number of sites and new dates for the qualifying rounds.

However, due to higher than anticipated qualifying numbers, the TGA will be increasing the field size to 132 players. The field size cannot increase to 144 players due to roughly 45 minutes less daylight in August as opposed to June.

For more information about the 111th Texas Amateur, click HERE.

111th Texas Amateur Moved to Aug. 6-9

The 111th Texas Amateur has been rescheduled for Aug. 6-9 because of continued safety concerns from the COVID-19 virus. Originally scheduled for June 18-21, the 72-hole, stroke play championship still will be held at Boot Ranch Golf Club in Fredericksburg.

“From the onset of this unprecedented pandemic, the well-being and safety of every TGA Member and the general public has been and continues to be our No. 1 priority,” TGA Executive Director Stacy Dennis said. “We want to conduct the qualifying for the 111th Texas Amateur, as well as the championship itself, in the safest and most responsible manner. We also want to preserve the elite championship experience for the players.”

Along with new dates for the 111th Texas Amateur, the qualifying schedule also has changed. Qualifiers will be conducted from June 29 to July 24 under a modified schedule. More specific details about the re-scheduling of the 111th Texas Amateur and its qualifying schedule will be provided in the coming weeks.

“With only a week remaining before the start of qualifying, there were Stay-at-Home orders in place and dramatic modifications required at courses hosting qualifying rounds. With so much uncertainty, conducting our 111^th Texas Amateur qualifiers on time became impossible”, said Kellen Kubasak, Director of Competitions for North Texas. “We want to provide a world-class championship experience and keep everyone involved safe. Moving everything back made the most sense. We’re grateful to Boot Ranch for accommodating us and the change in schedule.”

Texas Amateur qualifying originally was set to begin on May 4, but social distancing guidelines and governing orders continue to change rapidly.  Non-traditional modifications required for course operations, such as raised cups and the elimination of bunker rakes, as well as limits to gatherings and public events continue to be interpreted. In order to comply with all applicable recommendations and protect the competitive integrity of the Texas Amateur, the TGA has elected to wait until every qualifying site can be played under normal tournament conditions.

If you’ve registered for a Texas Amateur qualifier, please DO NOT withdraw from the competition online. In order to reset the registration process, the TGA will automatically delete all previous entries and issue full refunds to everyone who registered for the championship between Jan. 27 and April 22.

Every player will be required to re-register for Qualifiers starting on May 13. The new re-registration period closes on June 22.

Entries for the 111th Texas Amateur are open to male amateur golfers who reside in the state of Texas with a World Handicap System Index of 6.4 or less. The starting field will include 144 players, who will earn entry into the championship via qualifying at sites across the state or through an exemption category.

The TGA will continue to rely on Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, as well as state and local government guidelines in locations where championships and qualifiers are to be conducted, in determining any further schedule considerations for the remaining events on the 2020 Competitions Calendar.

Again, please DO NOT withdraw from your 111th Texas Amateur qualifier online. All players will receive full refunds, and all players will be required to re-register starting on May 13. The TGA will distribute more details about the new qualifying schedule and the Championship as it becomes available in the coming weeks.