Cliff Matthews Sweeps Weekend on
PPA Texas State Tour
Cliff Matthews
2002 PPA National Champion13 April 2003 - Hurst, TX - Today saw the return to competition of two great player's, 1972 and 1974 PPA National Champion Robert Smith, and 1973 World Champion Mike Baldoza, but it was the reigning national champion, Cliff Matthews, who jumped out to a lead after the first round. Cliff's 13-under 23 gave him a three stroke lead over Byron Kirby and Robert Smith. In the second round Cliff's play dropped a little but nobody was able to take advantage and Cliff still held a 2 stroke lead going to the last round. Cliff dispelled any notion of allowing someone else to win this event with a last round 24. which included a 10 on the last nine holes.
Joel Baker's consistent play gave him second behind Cliff for the second consecutive event at Hurst. Steve Wood playing in his first event of year took third. With no match play those three players also took the three available state spots.
In the amateur division Greg Cole and James Kile both shot 9 under 27's to hold a three stroke lead after the first round. Another 9 under 27 by James in the second round gave him a 5 stroke lead going to the last. James kept up his pace in last round and ended the event with an easy 4 stroke win. Steve Yancey in his best showing so far finished 2nd and Greg Cole took third. Those three also took the three available state spots.
Article and scores provided by Lee Messinger.
Professional Division of Hurst, TX Event (13 April 2003)
Round Prize Player 1 2 3 Total Money 1 Cliff Matthews* 23 28 24 75 $170.00 2 Joel Baker* 28 26 27 81 $110.00 3 Steve Wood* 27 28 30 85 $80.00 4 Jeffrey Smith 27 26 33 86 $50.00 Mike Baldoza 30 26 30 86 $50.00 Steve Tanton 28 30 28 86 $50.00 7 Al Simpson 30 29 28 87 $12.50 Byron Kirby 26 33 28 87 $12.50 Jon Drexler 30 30 27 87 $12.50 Lee Messinger 30 30 27 87 $12.50 11 Andy Gaiser 29 32 27 88 Chris Conradi 29 29 30 88 Robert Smith 26 29 33 88 14 David Lynch 30 34 25 89 15 Pat Simpson 34 30 28 92 16 Greg Simpson 34 32 33 99 17 Charles Simpson 34 32 34 100
Amateur Division of Hurst, TX Event (13 April 2003)
| Round | |||||
| Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total | |
| 1 | James Kile* | 27 | 27 | 28 | 82 |
| 2 | Steve Yancey* | 30 | 29 | 27 | 86 |
| 3 | Greg Cole* | 27 | 33 | 29 | 89 |
| 4 | Rob Martin | 32 | 29 | 29 | 90 |
| 5 | Dave Blalock | 31 | 30 | 30 | 91 |
| Gary Plain | 36 | 27 | 28 | 91 | |
| 7 | Jack Ramsey | 32 | 30 | 31 | 93 |
| 8 | Mike Huckaby | 30 | 33 | 32 | 95 |
| Rhet Wylie | 32 | 31 | 32 | 95 | |
| 10 | Trevor Lewin | 32 | 33 | 32 | 97 |
| 11 | Allen Thomas | 35 | 34 | 32 | 101 |
| 12 | Mike Wellborn | 33 | 34 | 35 | 102 |
| 13 | Adam Sahmel | 33 | 38 | 32 | 103 |
* Earned TX State Championship Spot.