This years 2013 WGAT Match Play Championship was blessed with perfect weather with temperatures in the low 80’s with no wind. With half the field flying in from the Northern States which was pounded with snow accumulating in feet rather than inches, the players had a nice break from the weather on two of Florida’s top rated golf courses. World Woods- Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks.
In the Purple Bracket (5.6 to 12.6) Oscar Rafols was prepped to defend is title and won his way into the Simi Finals where he met Kelly Souheaver. Souheaver dominated his first two matches and his good play continued beating Rafols to move to the finals.
 |
| Brian Neal Purple Bracket Champion |
Souheaver's opponent in the finals was Brain Neal from Jacksonville Florida who beat Keith Varney in the first match and 2013 National Champion Tyler Mason in the quarter finals. In the Simi finals Neal was to face Darren Rawlinson who beat another 2013 National Champion Jerry Edwards. However Rawlinson missed his tee time the following day and was DQ giving Neal a free pass into the finals.
Neal took advantage of the extra time and spent the next 3 hours on the range and practice green preparing for what he knew to be worthy opponent in ether the 2013 Defending Champion Oscar Rafols or the 300 yard driving Kelly Souheaver who dominated all of his matches.
The practice made perfect because Neal defeated Souheaver 6 and 5. Neal got off to a fast start winning 3 of the first 4 holes and was up 6 after 12. Before teeing of on the 13th Souheaver conceded the hole giving Neal the victory.
Chris Astrom took third place winning the conciliation bracket. After losing his first match to Grag MacGraw, Astrom beat the 2011 National Champion Mark Thomas, Dan Anderson and Carlos Gonzalez.
In the Black Bracket (13.2 to 27.1) the finals was a match with Frank McInerney vs Adam Reynolds. Frank beat Donald Gray, Don Smith and 2013 National Order of Merit Champion Tom Tower to earn his spot in the finals.
 |
| Adam Reynolds Black Bracket Champion |
Adam Reynolds had to face the two oldest members on tour. 84 year old Bob Benser Sr gave Reynolds a run for his money in the first match and 80 year old Dr. CK Fernando after winnings his first match gave Reynolds all he could handle but Reynolds prevailed. In the Simi Finals Reynolds faced the father of Kelly Souheaver, Dan Souheaver. Dan was not as sharp as he was his fist two matches and Reynolds won easily.
The finals was a close match for most of the round until Reynolds was able to gain a two hole lead with four to go. McInerney would not give up and proceeded to half the next three holes. However McInerney ran out of holes to charge a comeback and Reynolds won 2 and 1.
Andres Jacob from Chicago Il. took 3rd place, after loosing his first match to Dan Souheaver, Jacob found his swing to win his next three matches over Donald Gray, 2012 National Champion Marvin Shavers and Grant Stanis in the conciliation Finals.
As a result of the final results of the 2013 WGAT Match Play Championship there was a huge shift on the National Order of Merit Rankings. Previously in 1st place Rich McDaniel fell 12 spots to T13th place while Adam Reynolds jumbs 15 spots to 1st. Last Years Order of Merit Champion Tom Tower managed to climb 7 spots to 2nd place with his T5 finish while Frank McInerney made the biggest leap with his 2nd place finish from 24th place to 3rd to round out the Top 3 on the National Order of Merit.
Even though Rich McDaniel lost his 1st place ranking Rich he was able to maintain his 1st place position on the Player of the Year Standings. however his 605 point lead is down to 367 points with a crowd within striking distance.
No comments:
Post a Comment