2017 Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship

 

 

Stan Gann, Jr., Successfully Defends Atlanta Amateur Match Play Title

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. --- Stan Gann, Jr., of Warner Robins outlasts Brad Hondros of Alpharetta, 4 and 3, to successfully defend his title at the Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship. The 99th playing of this event took place at Rivermont Golf Club, September 14-17.

Gann won four matches in two days to reach the finals. In the round of 32, he beat Hunter Beach of Alpharetta (4 and 2) and Ray Greco III of Social Circle in the round of 16 (3 and 2). On Saturday, he defeated Kyle Stiles of Athens in the quarterfinals, 6 and 5, and Brent Cooper of Alpharetta in the semifinals, 3 and 1. From his win a year ago, Gann was exempt from the stroke play qualifying round.

Hondros secured his spot in the final match by winning four on his home course. He first beat Mike Schilling of Marietta in the round of 32, 7 and 6, then defeated fellow Rivermont player Mitch Kim of Cumming in the round of 16, 3 and 2. Hondros beat four-time Atlanta Amateur Match Play champion David Noll, Jr., of Dalton in the quarterfinals, 3 and 1. He then defeated 2015 winner Chris Waters of Athens in the semifinals, 3 and 2. Hondros was co-medalist in the stroke play qualifying round with a 4-under-par 66.

This is Gann's second match play victory in two years, and marks the 12th time in the history of the Atlanta Amateur Match Play Championship that someone won back-to-back. It's the first time a title has been successfully defended since 2008 and 2009 when Noll notched the repeat.

Gann is also the reigning Georgia Public Links champion, as he was victorious at Southern Hills Golf Club in Hawkinsville a few weeks ago.

This event was open to male amateur golfers. The format was match play preceded by 18 holes of stroke play qualifying with the low 31 players and the defending champion advance to match play. The field consisted of 120 players with the lowest USGA Handicap Indexes.