Michael Carnes wins 28th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play presented by Sun Cruiser
COLUMBUS — Michael Carnes put the final bow on a dominant week at The Covey at Big Easy Ranch defeating his older brother Casey 3&2 to win his second Texas Golf Association championship in two weeks after his victory at the West Texas Amateur last Sunday.
Championship Match: Both Carnes brothers opened the championship match with drivers right down the center of #1 fairway, both had birdie opportunities however neither managed to capitalize. On the second hole Casey missed his par putt and would concede Michaels for the first 1 up lead of the day to go Michael’s way. Michael would extend his lead on the 3rd hole making a five foot birdie putt. On the fourth hole Casey put the pressure on Michael after draining a 15 footer from above the hole, Michael however would answer with a birdie of his own.
As the front nine progressed Michael would extend his lead to 4 up after winning holes 5 and 7. On the drivable par 4 hole 8 playing the shortest it had this week Michael and Casey both hit 3 wood off the tee. Michael’s tee shot found the red penalty area right of the hole. Casey followed him striping his drive down the middle and landing above 20 feet above the hole. Michael would take a drop and chip his 3rd shot over the green and concede the eagle putt to Casey for him to only be 3 down. On the 9th Casey would give that hole back with a 3 putt for bogey to Michael’s par.
Casey and Michael would head to the back 9 with Michael 4 up in the match. Both players would make par on holes 10, 11, and 12. On hole 13 Casey barely got his drive off the tee hitting it left and needing to hit 3 wood for his second shot into the par 4. He nearly made it onto the green. Michael’s second shot would land about 25 feet above the hole where he would then proceed to 3 putt allowing Casey to win the 13th hole when he looked to be out of it after his drive. On the par five 14th Casey would continue to try to close the gap with both players missing the green in two. Michael missed on the hill right of the green and had a extremely difficult down hill chip to the left hole location. Casey had an equally tough chip having to take an awkward stance at the top of the front bunker and choke down on his club almost to the metal. Casey however was able to hit that chip shot to about 8 feet and drain the birdie putt to go only 2 down heading to 15.
On the tee of 15 Casey stepped up first and hit his ball left into the high grass just short of the cart path about 130 yards out. Michael would follow with a strategic play taking iron to be sure he would be in the fairway with his opponent already in some trouble. Casey would try to hit a shot out of the tall grass over the trees and the ball clipped the trees and came down in the same high grass. A second chop at it and the ball did not even take flight, after not getting the 3rd shot out and laying 4 Casey conceded Michael’s birdie putt. Michael was now 3 up with 3 holes remaining. For the first time in the match play this week Michael was forced by an opponent to play the 16th hole. Both brothers hit their drives into the fairway. Michael would have the first approach shot where he flew the green by about 2 yards. Casey needed a big shot in order to extend the match, he proceeded to step up and do just that hitting it to 6 feet with a chance at birdie to win the hole. Michael would hit his chip past the cup and still be away needing to make an 8 footer to force Casey to make birdie. Just like he had done all week Michael stepped up and calmy drained the putt putting all of the pressure on his older brother. Casey’s birdie putt sadly never had a chance as it went left of the cup immediately off the club face. Michael would win on the 16th hole 3&2 and the brothers shared an embrace on the green.
When asked about playing his brother in the championship Carnes said “You could not ask for something more special, I was very happy to see him make it through. It probably won’t ever happen again but hopefully next year we are back again and back at it.”
This was Michael’s first Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship win. He will look to win three straight Texas Golf Association championships in a row at the Texas Mid-Amateur at Wichita Falls Country Club in October.
Weather: Weather was cooler for the championship match with the temperature never reaching above 90 degrees.
Course: The Covey, a par-72 layout in Columbus, opened in March 2023 and quickly established itself among the state’s premier golf destinations. The course was designed by architect Chet Williams, who also crafted the state’s top-ranked Whispering Pines and led the renovation at Houston Oaks Country Club. The Covey stretches across a 2,000-acre property with elevation changes of up to 80 feet, natural creek systems and specimen post oak and water oak trees framing the fairways. The quarterfinals played from 7,041 yards and the semifinals from 6,839. The 28th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play is the first Texas Golf Association championship to be held at The Covey and will not be the last as the 120th Texas Amateur will head to The Covey at Big Easy Ranch in 2029.
Tournament History: This is the 28th edition of the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play and the first with presenting sponsor Sun Cruiser. The championship itself began with 90 mid-amateurs (25 years and older) playing 18 holes of stroke play qualifying on Thursday, July 23. The low 32 scorers advance to the match play stage of the championship. Round of 32 and 16 matches will be played Friday, July 24; quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday, July 25; and the championship on Sunday, July 26. All matches are 18 holes.
POY Points Race: Statewide Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top players making it to the Round of 16. The champion will receive 750 points towards the statewide honor followed by 500 for runner-up, 400 for semifinalists, 200 for quarterfinalists, and 100 for Round of 16 participants. For more information about TGA Statewide Player of the Year points, click here.
What’s Next: The 51st Texas Four-Ball presented by Republic Aviation heads to Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club on August 21-23.
About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game. For more information about the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, click here.