Dortchs Maintain Lead Heading into Final Round of 44th Texas Father-Son

HORSESHOE BAY RESORT – The top of the leaderboard remains the same, with the Dortchs, Harrisons, and Youngs rounding out the top three following Round 2 of the 44th Texas Father-Son at Apple Rock Golf Course. Not only did the leaderboard stay consistent, but the top leaders all carded a 5-under-par 67 in Round 2.

Deacon and Darren Dortch continue to lead the field after carding a 5-under round of 67. Following Deacon’s hole-in-one during Friday’s round, the Dortchs cooled off a bit today but still managed to make a solid showing with six birdies. After starting their round on the back nine, their performance on the front nine, with four birdies in six holes, helped propel them back into the top position after briefly losing it to the Harrisons.

When asked about their game plan for the Final Round, Darren said he is looking forward to playing combined scores since both he and Deacon have played well this weekend. Darren also mentioned that the most important part of this tournament despite wanting to play well was to enjoy each other’s company. The Dortchs are looking forward to carrying that perspective into tomorrow, as well as their play the past two rounds.

LEADERBOARD CHECK:

Michael and Will Harrison from Tyler held the lead briefly in the middle of Round 2 before the Dortchs were able to reclaim it. The Harrisons put together a solid round of golf in Round 2 of the 44th Texas Father-Son Championship, carding seven birdies on the day and sitting at 15-under-par. Their complementary play has put them one shot behind the Dortchs and in position to easily make a run for the Championship on Sunday.

Sitting in third place are Brennan and Frank Young. The duo was able to card six birdies on the day. After an opening round of 64, their steady play during Round 2 puts them in position, only three back of the Dortchs, to make a move on Sunday.

Also in contention are the Nebouts from League City and the Youngs from San Antonio. Both duos climbed several spots during Round 2. The Nebouts’ round was highlighted by Niko’s eagle putt on the short Par-4 5th hole. Niko played a bogey-free round on Saturday, helping carry his team into a tie for fourth heading into Sunday. Pat and Luke Youngs, tied with the Nebouts, also sit at 11-under-par. The duo was happy with their play today, even with the rain delay. The Youngs’ round was highlighted by Luke’s back-to-back eagles on the 10th and 11th holes at Apple Rock. The Youngs sit five shots behind the Dortchs’ lead heading into Sunday’s round.

Complete scoring | Final round pairings

NET FLIGHTS UPDATE:

Hogan Flight – Randy Mattingley and Trey Rowe made a nice move in Round 2 of play, shooting a net 7-under-par 65. The duo combined for eight birdies and only one bogey on the day. Their performance today gives them an eight-shot lead heading into the Final Round over the Ogradys and Bowes, who are tied for second place. The Ogradys from Round Rock led the Hogan Flight after Round 1 of competition and, after play today, are looking to bounce back in the Final Round. Tim and T.J. Bowe sit in a tie for second after shooting a net 3-under-par 69. T.J. was able to pull out an eagle on the 16th hole, a drivable Par-4 at Apple Rock.

Nelson Flight – Thomas and Blake Cruickshank remain the leaders in the Nelson Flight after Round 2 of play. The duo shot a net 7-under-par 65 and remained bogey-free on the day. The Cruickshanks combined for seven birdies, five of them natural, to take a two-shot lead over the Nelsons heading into the Final Round. Marc and Mason Nelson remain in second place after also carding a net 7-under-par 65 in today’s round. They were able to string together six natural birdies and a net eagle on the Par-5 10th hole. They hold a four-shot advantage over Ben and Lloyd Hughes from Dallas.

Crenshaw Flight – The Goodspeeds still remain the leaders of the Crenshaw Flight after today’s round, shooting 5-under-par. Five natural birdies along with Chris’s 33 on his own ball on the back nine help them hold a three-shot lead over the Blocks. Mike and Chip Block from the Houston area carded a 5-under-par round on the day, with help from two eagles, one of them natural. The duo was able to play some complementary golf to hold steady and maintain their position in second place.

Kite Flight – Tim and Ted Watson from Plano jumped into the lead in the Kite Flight. Sitting in second place after Round 1, the Watsons carded three net eagles on the day to help them shoot the lowest net round of the day, a 10-under-par 62. Additionally, they had seven birdies, positioning themselves eight shots ahead of the Hunters. Jacob and Ashley Hunter had a nice round of play today, shooting 7-under-par to position themselves in second place, jumping four spots up the leaderboard. The duo had two eagles and seven birdies, holding a one-shot advantage over the Dinans, who were the leaders after Round 1 of play.

WEATHER: After a nice morning at Apple Rock with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low-90s throughout the morning and into mid-day, spotty thunderstorms arrived. Play was suspended at 3:11 p.m. after lightning came into the area and then resumed at 4:01 p.m., allowing play to finish late into the evening.

GOLF COURSE: Apple Rock is touted as one of the most scenic and breathtaking championship golf courses in Texas. Spanning 147 acres, Jones, Sr. used some of the highest, most picturesque land in Horseshoe Bay for the Apple Rock layout.

The 18-hole, Par 72 course begins in high, rocky terrain and finishes along the shoreline of Lake LBJ, boasting dramatic elevation changes, high-quality Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass greens that offer faster and truer putting surfaces. With more than 50 bunkers, and water coming into play on seven holes, it will challenge even the most skilled players. This is the third time Apple Rock has welcomed the Father-Son and the first time since 2016.

FORMAT: The Championship Division consists of 40 teams. These teams will play four-ball stroke play in rounds one and two. After 36 holes, the Championship Division will be separated into two flights. The low 50% (and ties) will make up the Championship Flight and will play Combined Score (individual stroke play using both players scores) in the final round to determine the overall champion. The team with the lowest 54-hole total will determine the overall champions. The remaining teams from the Championship Division will be placed in the Presidents Flight and will play another round of four-ball stroke play for their final round. Teams will carry their 36-hole total score forward to determine the President Flight winner. The team with the lowest 54-hole total will determine the winner.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The Texas Father-Son Championship, now in its 44th year, is one of the most popular events on the Texas Golf Association’s annual schedule. First held in 1981, this tournament has become a longstanding summer tradition for many families. At the 2023 Texas Father-Son Championship, Wick and Brian Comegys shot a combined score of 7-under-par 137 in the final round, helping them secure a come from behind victory at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in. The father-son duo posted a three-day total of 21-under 267, finishing nine strokes ahead of the three-time defending champions, Kyle and Derick Kelting.

NEXT UP: The Final Round begins at 7:30 a.m. at Apple Rock Golf Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort. For more information, including complete scoring, click here.