Rowan Amateur Golf: Favorites win in first round
Published 10:58 pm Friday, July 27, 2018
By Marny Hendrick
sports@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – The opening round of the 40th annual Horace Billings Rowan Amateur golf tournament featured a lot of quality matches but very few surprises.
Playing on the par-72 Corbin Hills Golf Club course on Friday afternoon, a total of 32 qualifying golfers squared off in match play competition.
Based on qualifying scores, there were very few upsets, as 10 of the top 11 golfers advanced to this morning’s second round.
Advancing easily were defending champion Keith Dorsett and qualifying medalist Nick Lyerly, both winners by scores of 6 and 5.
Dorsett, 39, who has won the event four times, including the last two years, easily won over 32-seed Chris Shackelford. He will open the second round this morning with a match-up against former champion Eric Mulkey (17).
Lyerly, a rising sophomore golfer at UNC Greensboro, followed his qualifying score of 66, by cruising past the 31st seed, Chris Hassard, 6 and 5. He will face 15th seeded Michael Dorsett, a 6 and 5 winner over Dusty Holder, today in the second round.
“I played solid today,” said Lyerly, an East Rowan grad who was runner-up to Dorsett in last year’s tournament. “I had 4 birdies and a couple of bogies but overall I was happy.”
It has been a busy spring and summer of tournament play for Lyerly, who won the prestigious Eastern Open in Virginia a few weeks back and has also qualified for the US Amateur in two weeks at Pebble Beach Golf Link in California. He also won the Southern Conference individual title, leading UNCG to the team championship as well.
But Lyerly always makes time for the Rowan Amateur on his home course at Corbin Hills. “I really enjoy match play and it will help me get ready for the US Amateur.” Lyerly said.
Third seed Derek Lipe won 6 and 5 over Andrew Burke, while 4th seeded Ross Brown survived a tough battle with No. 29 Mark Marlowe, 2-up.
“It was a pretty good match throughout,” Brown said. “I hit the ball well but I missed three of my 4-to-5-foot par putts.” He went 2-up on Marlowe on No. 14, then sealed the win with an eagle on the 18th hole. Brown will play No. 13 Sean Kramer in the second round. “Hopefully, I can show up in the morning and make some putts.” he said.
Fifth-seed Rusty Morrison rolled over No. 28 Todd Deaton 8 and 6, No. 6 William Little edged Chace Jensen 2 and 1, and 7th-seeded Brad Vinson topped Dwayne McIntyre, 4 and 3. Kevin Lentz, the No. 8 seed, built a seven-hole lead on the front side and won, 5 and 4, over Cameron Hassard.
The winners of this morning’s second round will move to the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon, beginning about 1 p.m.
The four survivors from Saturday will tee off in the semifinals on Sunday morning at 8 o’clock. The championship match will tee off at approximately 1:00 on Sunday afternoon.
First Round Results – July 27 – Match Play
UPPER BRACKET
Keith Dorsett (1)* def. Chris Shackelford (32), 6 and 5
Eric Mulkey (17) def. Colby Patterson (16), 2 and 1
Kevin Lentz (8) def. Cameron Hassard (25), 5 and 4
Preston Jones (24) def. Murphy Beard (9), 1-up
Ross Brown (4) def. Mark Marlowe (29), 2-up
Sean Kramer (13) def. Ethan Scarborough (20), 5 and 3
Rusty Morrison (5) def. Todd Deaton (28), 8 and 6
Andy Lombard (12) def. Jon Baxter (21), 7 and 5
LOWER BRACKET
Nick Lyerly (2)** def. Chris Hassard (31), 6 and 5
Michael Dorsett (15) def. Dusty Holder (18), 6 and 5
Brad Vinson (7) def. Dwayne McIntyre (26), 4 and 3
Jason Bernhardt (10) def. Devin Gibson (23), 4 and 2
Derek Lipe (3) def. Andrew Burke (30), 6 and 5
Brett Mulkey (19) def. Adam Jordan (14), 1-up
William Little (6) def. Chace Jensen (27), 2 and 1
Andrew Morgan (11) def. Matthew Brittain (22), 4 and 3
* = defending champion
** = Qualifying Medalist
Second Round Pairings, Saturday, July 28.
8:06 a.m.
Keith Dorsett vs. Eric Mulkey
Kevin Lentz vs. Preston Jones
8:14 a.m.
Ross Brown vs. Sean Kramer
Rusty Morrison vs. Andy Lombard
8:22 a.m.
Nick Lyerly vs. Michael Dorsett
Brad Vinson vs. Jason Bernhardt
8:30 a.m.
Derek Lipe vs. Brett Mulkey
William Little vs. Andrew Morgan
40th Annual Horace Billings Rowan Amateur Golf Tournament
July 27-29, Corbin Hills Golf Course
Qualifying Scores (stroke play)
1 —Keith Dorsett – exempt (defending champion)
2 —Nick Lyerly – 66 (medalist)
3 —Derek Lipe – 68
4 —Ross Brown – 70
5 —Rusty Morrison – 71
6 —William Little – 71
7 —Brad Vinson – 73
8 —Kevin Lentz – 74
9 —Murphy Beard – 74
10 —Jason Bernhardt – 75
11— Andrew Morgan – 76
12 —Andy Lombard – 77
13 —Sean Kramer – 77
14 —Adam Jordan – 77
15—Michael Dorsett – 78
16— Colby Patterson – 78
17 —Eric Mulkey – 78
18 —Dusty Holder – 79
19 —Brett Mulkey – 79
20 —Ethan Scarborough – 79
21 —Jon Baxter – 80
22 —Matthew Brittain – 80
23 —Devin Gibson – 80
24 —Preston Jones – 82
25 —Cameron Hassard – 83
26 —Dwayne McIntyre – 83
27— Chace Gibson – 83
28 —Todd Deaton – 84
29 —Mark Marlowe – 84
30— Andrew Burke – 85
31— Chris Hassard – 86
32— Chris Shackleford – 88
