Staff report

CHINA GROVE — The first round of the Rowan Masters was played on Friday at Warrior Golf Club.

Four first-round matches went to extra holes, with fourth-seeded Chad Frye surviving the marathon match, 20 holes, to advance to the second round that will be played early on Saturday. The field will be down to four golfers after two rounds of match play on Saturday.

Top-seeded defending champion Michael Swaringen rolled to a 6-and-5 first-round victory to advance.

Keith Dorsett, an eight-time champion in the event, advanced with a 6-and-5 victory. Dorsett is seeded 14th.

The big upset on Friday was 30th-seeded Chris Harte topping third-seeded Eric Edwards in one of the 19-hole matches.

Edwards was one of the qualifying leaders with a 69.

 

First round 

Friday

(1) Michael Swaringen d. (32) Patrick Gregg, 6 and 5

(17) Tanner Frye d. (16) Daniel Walsh, default

(25) Chris Owen d, (8) Hank Robins, 6 and 4

(9) Tyler Kepley d. (24) Jared Barnette, 3 and 2

(4) Chad Frye d. (29) Justin Taylor, 20 holes

(13) Jaden Sprinkle d. (20) Brandon Phillips, 3 and 2

(5) Ken Knowles d. (28) Brayden Mulkey, 4 and 3

(12) Sean Kramer d. (21) Ricky Adams, 2 and 1

—–

(2) Derek Lipe d. (31) Kenneth Lanier, 6 and 5

(15) Justin Lefler d. (18) Luke Nelson, 2-up

(7) Kevin Lentz  d. (26) Curt Thomas, default

(10) William Little d. (23) Ross Brown, 19 holes

(30) Chris Harte d. (3) Eric Edwards, 19 holes

(14) Keith Dorsett d. (19) Jamie Phillips, 6 and 5

(6) Landon Merrell d. (27) Scott Fagg, 7 and 5

(11) Cade Cranfield d. (22) Dan Hurd, 19 holes

 

Second round, early Saturday

(1) Michael Swaringen d. (17) Tanner Frye, 3 and 2

(25) Chris Owen d. (9) Tyler Kepley, 3 and 1

 (13) Jaden Sprinkle d. (4) Chad Frye, 3 and 2

(5) Ken Knowles d. (12) Sean Kramer, 5 and 3

———

 (15) Justin Lefler d. (2) Derek Lipe, 3 and 2

(7) Kevin Lentz vs. (10) William Little

(14) Keith Dorsett d. (3) Chris Harte, 7 and 5

(6) Landon Merrell vs. (11) Cade Cranfield

 

Rowan Masters  (Warrior)

2003 — Keith Dorsett

2004 ­—Gary Miller

2005 —Keith Dorsett

2006 —Keith Dorsett

2007 — Keith Dorsett

2008 — Ronnie Eidson

2009 — Ronnie Eidson

2010 — Keith Dorsett

2011 — Keith Dorsett

2012 — Keith Dorsett

2013 — Phil Miller

2014 — Matt Hardman

2015 — Matt Hardman

2016 — Andrew Purcell

2017 — Keith Dorsett

2018 — No tournament (renovations)

2019 — Nick Lyerly

2020—  Nick Lyerly

2021 — Nick Lyerly

2022 — Nick Lyerly

2023 — Michael Swaringen