2014 Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship

 

GSGA Player of the Year standings

 

Lee Knox Wins Atlanta Amateur Match Play Title 

 

ATLANTA, Ga. - Lee Knox of Augusta wins the Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship over Doug Stiles of Athens, 2 and 1. The 96th playing of the annual competition took place at Druid Hills Golf Club, September 25-28.

 

After both players made pars on the first hole to begin the final match, Stiles took the first lead of the day with a par on the second hole. Knox would bring the match to all square through four holes, then take a 1 up advantage after five. Stiles took back the lead on seven, then with a birdie on nine, Knox took a 1 up lead through nine. Stiles won the 10th hole to bring the match to all square, but Knox would then take back the lead on 11, where he would keep it the rest of the way.

 

Knox began his trek to the finals by posting a 3-under-par 69 in the 18-hole stroke play qualifying round on Thursday. He met Jerry McFadden of Johns Creek in the round of 32, where he won, 6 and 5. Knox then defeated Mitch Kim of Peachtree Corners, 2 and 1, in the round of 16. In Saturday morning's quarterfinals match, Knox topped Todd Schmitt of Atlanta, 3 and 2. Michael Motz of Milton was Knox's opponent in the semifinals, and with a berth in the championship match on the line, Knox prevailed, 1 up.

 

In the stroke play qualifying round, where the top 32 advanced to match play, Stiles was one of 11 players to finish at even-par 72. A playoff was needed to determine the final three spots for match play. Stiles would then earn one of those three spots. His round of 32 match saw him beat DeWitt Weaver III of Suwanee in 20 holes. Stiles would then again go the distance, plus some, with a victory over Fred Rescigno, Jr., of Suwanee in 22 holes in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, Stiles defeated Matthew Russell of Dunwoody, 2 and 1, and in the semifinals, he would beat Ashton Pellicano of Albany, 3 and 2.

The Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship was open to male amateur golfers who are GSGA members and the field was made up of those with the lowest USGA handicap indexes. The format was 18 holes of stroke play qualifying with the low 31 and the defending champion advancing to single-elimination match play.

 

Click here to view stroke play qualifying scores.