Gary Reed Goes the Distance in Arlington

25 March - Arlington, TX - Gary Reed advanced to the championship round through the winners bracket at the Arlington-Parks Putt-Putt. Reed defeated fellow Lubbock competitor James Taylor in the first round, Greg Everly in the second, and Lee Messinger in the semifinals to complete the journey into the finals.

Messinger would make the most of his successful run through the winners bracket by having to win only one match to force a rematch with Reed. Wade Sahmel, who had advanced through the losers bracket after losing his first match of the day, would be Messingers opponent. The 36-hole match would prove to be tightly contested. Messinger enjoyed a lead, although tenuous, throughout the match. Sahmel would stay within two, but would not be able to get over the hump, eventually falling three with two.

A rematch between Reed and Messinger would be in store for the champion round. Being a double elimination format, Messinger would have to win a match to force another for the trophy. He would do just that. In the final match, Reed jumped to a three hole lead in the first three holes thanks the a couple of bogeys by Messinger. Messinger was able to hang tough and close back to either even or one down a few times over the course of the match, but each time Reed pulled away again. The match was still in doubt approaching the final nine holes. Reed would string together several aces to close out Messinger by a margin of five with four. PPA Texas State spots went to Reed, Messinger, and Sahmel.

Article and scores provided by Lee Messinger.

Mike Huckaby Cruises Through the Amateur Field

25 March - Arlington, TX - A field of 12 amateurs traveled to Arlington (Parks) on Saturday for a Double Elimination Match Play event. After a blind draw, local favorite Mike Huckaby of Arlington, TX went through the field undefeated on his way to a 4-3 win over Jimmy VanBuskirk of Midwest City, OK.

In the opening round, Mark O'Guinn defeated Allen Thomas and Jimmy VanBuskirk defeated Ken Stanfill. O'Guinn went on to defeat Adam Sahmel in the second round and Jimmy VanBuskirk defeated Rob Martin. Also in the second round, Donald Halpain defeated Trevor Lewin, and Mike Huckaby won over Jason VanBuskirk.

Moving down to the Loser's Bracket, Stanfill defeated Lewin, and then lost to Sahmel. Thomas defeated Jason VanBuskirk, but then lost to Martin. Sahmel then lost to Jimmy VanBuskirk and Martin lost to Halpain. Jimmy VanBuskirk went on to defeat Halpain.

In the Winner's Bracket, Huckaby continued to fire strong to defeat O'Guinn. O'Guinn then faced off against Jimmy VanBuskirk to determine the winner of the Loser's Bracket. Jimmy VanBuskirk would go on to win that match and face a rematch with Huckaby. In the final match, Huckaby defeated Jimmy VanBuskirk 4-3.