Hickman takes charge at the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play
SUGARLAND — In the stroke play qualifying round, Aaron Hickman of Tyler, took the lead by shooting a bogey-free round six under par round of 65. The two-time champion started off with three birdies in a row and three more within his round. Hickman secured his spot for the No.1 seed heading into match play.
The excitement continued as Russel Chabaud of The Woodlands shot four under par round of 67. Chabaud made two birdies in a row and added three more to his round. Chabaud locked in his No.2 seed position heading into match play.
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Leaders: Both Hickman and Chabaud said that they played a good round and are the top two seeds going into tomorrow’s match play.
“It went well, got off to a good start, I think birdied the first three, always good to get off to a good start,” Hickman said.
“Pretty seamless, I hit it really well…Nothing special, pretty solid,” Chabaud said.
In Contention: The No.3 seed is Humble’s Logan Boatner, making his statement at three under par 68. Boatner made four birdies on the front nine but wrestled with the difficulty of the back nine making two bogeys and a double.
Tied at fourth is former champion Christopher Wheeler of Addison, Jeremy Freedman of Dallas and Joey Gullion of Spring. All three posted a stroke play qualifying round of two under par 69.
The cut was four over par 75, where a ten-player playoff for the final four spots was needed to fill out the bracket.
Course: The Cypress Course at Sweetwater Country Club opened in 1982 and was designed by Robert Packard. The layout is highlighted by constant elevation changes, numerous water hazards, and sloping green complexes guarded by deep-faced bunkers. Measuring just under 6,700 yards from the back tees, the strategic par-71 course places a premium on finesse, imagination and shot making, rather than strength.
Today’s stroke play qualifying was contested at 6,692 yards.
Tournament History: The 26th edition of the championship begins with the mid-amateur (25 years and older) starting field playing 18 holes of stroke play qualifying on Thursday, August 1, with the lowest 32 scorers advancing to the match play stage of the championship. First- and second-round matches will be played Friday, August 2; quarterfinals and semifinals on Saturday, August 3; and the final on Sunday, August 4. 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: Round 32 matches will begin at 7:30 am on Friday, August 2nd. Following those matches, the Round of 16 matches start in the afternoon beginning at 1:00 pm.
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.