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.

South Wins Jackie Burke Cup

TYLER – The South Team wins the Jackie Burke Cup for the first time since 2013 with a 37-11 victory at Willow Brook Country Club.

The Jackie Burke Cup is a team match play event modeled after the Ryder Cup. Each team features 12 players as North Texas takes on South Texas. Each match is worth two points and the team with the most points after Sunday will win the cup.

Willow Brook Country Club is located in Tyler, Texas and is hosting the Jackie Burke Cup Matches for the first time. The par-71 layout challenges the players as they have to manage their way around a hilly terrain and avoid the trees. The course joins a stellar list of clubs to have hosted the Jackie Burke Cup including Whispering Pines Golf Club, Champions Golf Club, Brookhollow Country Club, Spanish Oaks Golf Club, Miramont Golf Club, Escondido Golf and Lake Club and The Clubs at Houston Oaks.

Leading 19-5 heading into the Singles Matches on Sunday, the South Team took care of business early winning the first three matches of the day and securing the six points needed to win. San Antonio’s Nathan Marion secured the clinching points for the South Team with a 7&6 win over Tate Littman in Match 15. Marion secured six total points for the South Team over the weekend in his first appearance at the Jackie Burke Cup. Andrew Tan and Austin Hofferkamp also went 3-0-0 for the South Team in 2021.

The last time the South Team won the Jackie Burke Cup was at Traditions Club in 2013. The temperatures were frigid as the South won 25-23. This year’s South Team scored the most points in the history of the event en route to the victory. The previous highest total was 34 points by the North Team at Wichita Falls in 2019.

Weather was great again on Sunday with temperatures in the low 40s to start the day and then in the high 60s later in the afternoon. Winds were a little stronger on the second day, ranging around 10 miles per hour.

Along with the Jackie Burke Cup going to the South Team, players of the year were announced. Austin’s Sam Dossey was the Boys 15-18 Player of the Year, while Cedar Park’s Jiyu Han won Girls 12-18 Player of the Year and Plano’s Rhett O’Rear received the Boys 14 & Under Player of the Year. Austin’s Andrew Tan was named the 2021 James A. Ragan Sportsman of the year.

To see all the scores from the Jackie Burke Cup, click here. For more information on the event, click here.

Hickman Wins Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play

Briefly: Aaron Hickman goes wire-to-wire and defeats Colby Harwell 5 and 4 at Willow Brook Country Club to win his first Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship. Hickman felt the pressure all week to perform at his best in front of his home club and lived up to the challenge.

Match Play Bracket Leaderboard

Golf Course: Organized in 1922, the course at Willow Brook was designed by Ralph Plumber and newly renovated by Tripp Davis. The newly renovated 6,782-yard, par-71 layout stretches across a pristine land and features a great variety of shape and length of holes, ample fairways, artistic bunkering and small, elevated greens. Willow Brook maintains a long tradition of providing players with a top-flight course.

Weather: Sunny, humid morning with in the mid-80s and a slight variable breeze. 

Championship Match Summary: Hickman continued his torrid play throughout the week with going three up through the first six holes against Harwell. The two halved the par four 7^th hole before Hickman carded two more birdies to make the turn at 5-up. Harwell won the next two holes to close the gap. With both players hitting close tee shots into the par three 12^th hole, Hickman once again capitalized by draining a birdie putt and watched Harwell miss his attempt to halve the hole. Hickman continued his birdie barrage on 13 to go 5-up with five holes to play. Harwell, unable to win the par four 14^th hole gave Hickman his biggest Texas Golf Association victory of his career with a 5 and 4 win.

“To play in front of the home crowd brings added pressure with all of the moving parts, but the membership here was so supportive of everything this week. They are really excited to host the 2022 Texas Amateur, which is also our 100^th anniversary as a club.”

Hickman went on to say how much this victory means to him. “This is validation for all of the hard work I have put in. I have won team events, but this is special to do this on my own”.

“Getting that first birdie in each match helped settle the nerves” Hickman said. “I had four bogeys all week and played the rest of the golf at 31-under par.”

More Info: For more information on the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, visit the tournament homepage here.

The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the membership and staff at the Willow Brook Country Club for hosting this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play. The next state championship on the 2020 calendar will be the 111^th Texas Amateur at Boot Ranch August 6 – 9.

Finals Set For Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play

Briefly: Aaron Hickman’s run as the top seed continues to extend as he defeated Cole Wiederkehr 6 and 4 and 5 seed, Scott Maurer 8 and 7. Colby Harwell, the two time champion (2017 and 2019) continues his hot streak as the 14 seed, defeating Paul McNamara and Tyler Terry on Saturday at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler.

Match Play Bracket Leaderboard/Results

Golf Course: Organized in 1922, the course at Willow Brook was designed by Ralph Plumber and newly renovated by Tripp Davis. The newly renovated 6,782-yard, par-71 layout stretches across a pristine land and features a great variety of shape and length of holes, ample fairways, artistic bunkering and small, elevated greens. Willow Brook maintains a long tradition of providing players with a top-flight course.

Weather: Mostly cloudy with a high in the mid-80s including a slight variable breeze.

In contention: Saturday morning saw the quarterfinals play out with Maurer and Harwell each winning their matches 1 up over Padden Nelson and Paul McNamara, respectively. Ensuing Tyler Terry’s 5 and 4 victory over Judd Pritchard, Harwell was able to defeat Terry 5 and 4 this afternoon to advance to the final.  Hickman continued his hot play on his home course versus Maurer with six birdies and one eagle in the eleven holes their match went.

What’s Next: The championship match will begin at 8:00 a.m. with live scoring provided.

More Info: For more information on the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, visit the tournament homepage here.

Hickman Claims Top Seed at Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play

Briefly: Aaron Hickman earned the top seed headed into the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play after a Stroke Play Qualifying Round of 6-under-par 65 at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, his home course. Friday begins the marathon 32-player, single-elimination bracket to crown a state champion. Hickman enters the Mid-Amateur Match Play as a six-time Club Champion at Willow Brook CC.

Leaderboard:

1          Aaron Hickman           Tyler                -6                     65

T2        Charles White             Houston          -5                     66

T2        Zach Atkinson             Colleyville        -5                     66

4          Todd Albert                 Katy                 -4                     67

5          Scott Maurer               Dallas              -3                     68

Stroke Play Qualifying Results

Match Play Bracket Pairings

Golf Course: Organized in 1922, the course at Willow Brook CC was designed by Ralph Plumber and recently renovated by Tripp Davis. The newly renovated 6,782-yard, par-71 layout stretches across a pristine land and features a great variety of shape and length of holes, ample fairways, artistic bunkering and small, elevated greens. Willow Brook CC maintains a long tradition of providing players with a top-flight course.

Weather: Partly cloudy with a high in the lower-90s and a slight breeze out of the north.

In contention: Charles White and Zach Atkinson posted Qualifying Rounds of -5 under, finishing in a two-way tie for second. After all of the scores were verified, there was a playoff at 3-over 74 for the 32^nd position in Match Play. The one-hole playoff saw 10 players vying for one spot. Elliot Thompson birdied the first play-off hole to clinch the 32nd seed.

What’s Next: Friday morning’s Round of 32 begins at 7:30 a.m., and the Round of 16 takes place tomorrow afternoon at approximately 1 p.m.

More Info: For more information on the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, visit the tournament homepage here.

Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Set for July 23-26

TYLER – The state’s top amateur golfers age 25 and older will gather at Willow Brook Country Club for the 22nd Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play from July 23-26.

Willow Brook Country Club will be hosting its first Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play and sixth TGA championship this year. Previously the club hosted the 2019 Texas Shootout, three Texas Senior Amateurs and the 1964 Texas Amateur.

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

Founded in 1922 on West Erwin Street, Willow Brook Country Club moved to its present site in the late 1950s. It was at that time the club opened its 18-hole course designed by Ralph Plummer. Over the years numerous upgrades have been made to the original design, and in 2018, Tripp Davis completed a comprehensive renovation that has fortified the course’s strategic playing characteristics and revitalized its natural beauty.

“Willow Brook has always been a huge supporter of the Texas Golf Association and we very much are looking forward to hosting the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play this year and welcoming players from all over the state,” said Chris Hudson, Director of Golf at Willow Brook Country Club. “With the recent redesign by Tripp Davis, players can expect a changeling layout that demands precision shot-making and excellent course management skills.”

First conducted by the TGA in 1999, the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play is the only individual event on the annual schedule to feature head-to-head competition.

The format is 18 holes of stroke play qualifying on July 23, with the low 32 scores advancing to match play. First- and second-round matches will be played Friday, July 24; quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday, July 25; and the final on Sunday, July 26. All matches are 18 holes.

At last year’s championship, held at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Corby Harwell of San Antonio Dallas defeated Jake Istnick of Dallas, 5 and 3, in the final match. It was the fourth TGA statewide mid-amateur victory for Harwell in the past three years. In 2017, Harwell won both the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play and Texas Mid-Amateur Championships and successfully defended his Texas Mid-Amateur title in 2018.

Once the action gets under way from Willow Brook, log on to txga.org for live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as match play brackets and starting times.

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.