John Hunter claims Medalist honors at 28th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Presented by Sun Cruiser
COLUMBUS — In the stroke play qualifying round, John Hunter of The Woodlands, started with a birdie and never looked back shooting a scorching 8-under-par 64 to claim Medalist honors at the 28th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play presented by Sun Cruiser and hosted by The Covey at Big Easy Ranch.
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Leaders: Hunter began his day on hole #10 making a birdie that would set the tone for his qualifying round, he would then make four additional birdies on holes 13, 15, 16, and 18 to shoot a 31 on his first nine. Hunter’s lone bogey on the scorecard today came on the par 4 8th hole playing at 390 yards. He would however close his round how he opened it making birdie on the 9th hole.
In Contention: Two players finished in a tie for second place behind Hunter includingpast Mid-Amateur Match Play Champion Colby Harwell of San Antonio. Harwell carded five birdies on the day shooting 3-under on the back nine and even par on the front. Tied with Harwell at 3-under-par is Travis Klutts of Krum. Klutts had a clean card today with three birdies and fifteen pars to claim a top three seed in match play.
The cut was 4-over-par 76, in which there was a 9-for-2 playoff to determine the last two spots in the match play. Logan Thomason of Montgomery birdied the first hole to claim the number 31 overall seed. On the fourth playoff hole Garrett Driver of Humble made his 10-foot birdie putt to obtain the number 32 seed in the match play where he will meet medalist John Hunter in the first match of the round of 32.
Weather: Players were greeted with another hot day at Big Easy Ranch with temperatures reaching a high of 94 degrees. There was a slight breeze throughout the round with high winds reaching 13 mph.
Course: The Covey, a par-72 layout in Columbus, opened in March 2023 and has 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 qualifying round played from just over 7,100 yards. 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 players who make 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 tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. Following those matches, the Round of 16 matches will start in the afternoon, beginning around 12:30 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 28th Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play presented by Sun Cruiser, click here.