2009 Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship

David Noll Jr. Successfully Defends Atlanta Amateur Match Play Title

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Defending champion David Noll Jr. of Dalton captured his second-straight and third overall Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship with a
3-and-2 win in the final match over Christian Raynor of Kennesaw. The 91st annual event took place at Rivermont Golf and Country Club, October 22-25, 2009.

Noll played very steady golf, making few mistakes and never trailing in the match that went 16 holes. After both he and Raynor birdied the 533-yard second hole, Noll took a 1-up lead when Raynor posted bogey on No. 3. Raynor then found the creek fronting the green on No. 5 and took double-bogey on the hole to give Noll a 2-up advantage.

Noll gained another hole when Raynor's approach on No. 7 found a bunker tucked behind the green and he again had to settle for bogey. Noll made the turn with a 3-up lead, shooting even-par 36 on the front nine with one birdie and one bogey.

Raynor won his first hole of the match with a birdie on the 302-yard 11th hole. Noll's tee shot flew the green and his comeback attempt had too much and rolled off the front of the green. Raynor's tee shot found a small bunker in front of the green, but he chipped to 12 feet and sank the birdie putt.

Noll got his lead back to 3 up with par on No. 13, after Raynor's approach shot landed not far from the hole, but spun down the steep slope at the front of the green. Both players then posted pars the rest of the way, with Noll clinching the title on the 16th hole.

Noll, who also won this Championship in 2005, joins select company as only six golfers have won this event at least three times during its 91-year run, including Charles Black Jr. of Atlanta (1927, '30, '41) and Gene Dahlbender Jr. of Atlanta (six titles from 1946-62), Charles Harrison of Atlanta (10 titles from 1952-77), Jerry Greenbaum of Atlanta (1960, '63, '67) and Bob Young of Dunwoody (1974, '84, '85).

Entries were open to male amateur golfers who are Georgia residents and members of a GSGA Member Club. Notable former champions include Perry Adair (1916, 1922), Charlie Yates (1931), Tommy Barnes (1936), Dan Yates (1942), Gene Dahlbender (1946-47, 1957-59, 1962), Bobby Jones' son, Robert T. Jones, III, (1948), Charles Harrison (1952-54, 1961, 1965, 1967-1969, 1973, 1977), Larry Mize (1979) and Danny Yates (1981-82).

 

Complete Match Play Results

Round of 32
1 David Noll Jr., Dalton def. 32 Chad Griffith, LaGrange 2 & 1
16 Tevis Upton, Acworth def. 17 Gary Lindsay, Lawrenceville 5 & 3
8 Matthew Hayes, Marietta def. 25 Greg Bradford, Talking Rock 2 & 1
24 Bill Bergin, Atlanta def. 9 Matt Nagy, Kennesaw 2 & 1
4 Rocky Costa, Alpharetta def. 29 Bob Yarnall, Alpharetta 3 & 2
20 Michael Motz, Milton def. 13 Jorge Cora, Atlanta 19 holes
5 Jeff Belk, Marietta def. 28 Andrew Saft, Atlanta 4 & 2
12 Zachary Sexton, Atlanta def. 21 Hap Kaufold, Vidalia 4 & 2
2 Bill Jones, Covington def. 31 Don Marsh, Johns Creek 19 holes
18 Robert Dell, Atlanta def. 15 Seth Parmer, Bowdon 3 & 1
26 Franco Castro, Alpharetta  def. 7 Zach Estep, Lawrenceville 2 up
23 Jordan Mitchell, Atlanta  def. 10 Jacob Keen, Lilburn 2 up
3 Mark Strickland, Woodstock  def. 30 Adam Cooper, Columbus 1 up
14 Christian Raynor, Kennesaw  def. 19 Ryan Wilson, Pooler 5 & 4
27 Dave Poteet, Duluth def. 6 Chris Johnson, Brunswick 2 & 1
11 Ryan Parnell, Atlanta def. 22 Todd Kohout, Atlanta 2 & 1

Round of 16
1 David Noll Jr., Dalton def. 16 Tevis Upton, Acworth 2 & 1
24 Bill Bergin, Atlanta def. 8 Matthew Hayes, Marietta 2 & 1
20 Michael Motz, Milton def. 4 Rocky Costa, Alpharetta 2 up
5 Jeff Belk, Marietta def. 12 Zachary Sexton, Atlanta 3 & 2
2 Bill Jones, Covington def. 18 Robert Dell Jr., Atlanta 6 & 5
23 Jordan Mitchell, Atlanta  def. 26 Franco Castro, Alpharetta 5 & 4
14 Christian Raynor, Kennesaw def. 3 Mark Strickland, Woodstock 4 & 3
11 Ryan Parnell, Atlanta def. 27 Dave Poteet, Duluth 21 holes

 

Quarterfinals
1 David Noll Jr., Dalton def. 24 Bill Bergin, Atlanta 4 & 3
5 Jeff Belk, Marietta def. 20 Michael Motz, Milton 3 & 2
2 Bill Jones, Covington def. 23 Jordan Mitchell, Atlanta 2 & 1
14 Christian Raynor def. 11 Ryan Parnell, Atlanta 2 & 1

 

Semifinals
1 David Noll Jr., Dalton def. 5 Jeff Belk, Marietta 4 & 3
14 Christian Raynor, Kennesaw  def. 2 Bill Jones, Covington 3 & 2

Final
1 David Noll Jr., Dalton def. 14 Christian Raynor, Kennesaw 3 & 2