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William Rainey will square off with David Sargent in North Carolina Match Play final
William Rainey (L) and David Sargent (R) <br>(Carolinas Golf Association)</br>
William Rainey (L) and David Sargent (R)
(Carolinas Golf Association)


SOUTHERN PINES, NC (August 13, 2016) -- Saturday's quarterfinal and semifinal matches at Mid Pines delivered hard fought battles to determine the final two players in the 7th North Carolina Match Play Championship.

No. 1 seed Josh Martin of Pinehurst defeated his older brother, Zach Martin 4 & 2 to face William Rainey in the semifinal. Rainey jumped out to a 3 up thru 12 hole advantage. Dormie on 17, Rainey bogeyed, giving Josh Martin a chance to extend the match. On 18, Martin took advantage, rolling in a six foot birdie to for extra holes. The first extra hole, the par-5 10th at Mid Pines, was halved with birdies. On the par-3 11th, Rainey hit a drew the ball beautifully with a 9-iron to convert a five foot birdie for the win.

In the other half of the bracket, 18-year-old Walker Simas of Charlotte defeated fellow Charlotte resident Paul Fitzgerald 4 & 3 to meet David Sargent in the semis. Sargent never gave Simas an opening, playing six under through 13 holes (including two eagles) to win 6 & 5 for a ticket into the finals.

The championship match will take place Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. EST to determine the champion.


Meet the Finalists

No. 29 seed William Rainey of Charlotte, N.C.

-21-year-old rising senior at the College of Charleston

-9th ranked men's amateur golfer in North Carolina

-Claimed first CGA championship at the 2016 Carolinas Four-Ball

-2016 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship Individual Finalist

-Qualified for 2015 U.S. Amateur

-Road to the finals: Shot two-over 146 in stroke play qualifying. Advanced into match play by holing birdie putt on first hole of 8-for-6 playoff. Defeated No. 4 John McFadyen 3 & 1, No. 13 Patrick Cover 5 & 4, No. 28 Will Stewart 3 & 2, No. 1 Josh Martin 20 holes

-"This is awesome. I love this course. It's short, it sets up for my game pretty well. Playing match play is so fun. I can't wait for tomorrow."

No. 6 seed David Sargent of Cornelius, N.C.


-22-year-old recent graduate of Davidson College

-32nd ranked men's amateur golfer in North Carolina

-Seeking first CGA championship

-Qualified for 2011 U.S. Junior

-Road to the finals: Shot three-under 141 in stroke play qualifying. Defeated No. 27 Patrick Langdon 3 & 2, No. 11 Stephen Saleeby 4 & 2, No. 3 Caleb Keck 2 & 1, No. 26 Walker Simas 6 & 5

-"It's awesome to be in the finals. It's funny, three years ago when I missed match play l caddied for Alex Nianouris, my roommate at Davidson, who made the finals. I'm trying to be like him I guess, and hopefully take it one win further. We will see tomorrow."


View results for North Carolina Amateur Match Play
ABOUT THE North Carolina Amateur Match Play

Open to any male amateur golfer 13 and older. Must be a resident of North Carolina and a member of a CGA club with an index no greater than 9.9. Sectional qualifying is required for those who do not meet the exemption criteria. Format consists of 36 holes of stroke play qualifying followed by a cut to the low 32 players for match play.

View Complete Tournament Information

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