Staff report

CHINA GROVE — The 21st annual Rowan Masters will have a first-time champion.

A final four of Chris Owen, William Little. Landon Merrell and Jaden Sprinkle was still standing after the Round of 16 and quarterfinals were conducted on a steamy Saturday at Warrior.

Owen and Little are veteran golfers. While neither has won the Rowan Masters, both are well-known in Rowan golf circles as they have been winners in the Labor Day Four-Ball.

Merrell and Sprinkle are teens with a lot of golf in front of them. They are 2024 East Rowan graduates and led highly successful East teams.

Merrell, seeded sixth is the highest remaining seed. His journey to the semifinals included a quarterfinal victory against eight-time Rowan Masters champion Keith Dorsett.

Sprinkle, the No. 13 seed, eliminated No. 4 seed Chad Frye in the Round of 16.

Owen is seeded 25th but knocked out defending champion Michael Swaringen, 1-up, in the quarterfinals.

The long-hitting Little, the 10 seed, won against perennial contender Kevin Lentz early and had an overwhelming 6 and 5 win in the quarterfinals.

The semifinal matches will start at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The championship match is set for 12:32.

 

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 vs. (12) Sean Kramer, 5 and 3

———

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

 (10) William Little d. (7) Kevin Lentz, 2 and 1

(14) Keith Dorsett d. (30) Chris Harte, 7 and 5

(6) Landon Merrell d. (11) Cade Cranfield, 2 and 1

 

Quarterfinals, late Saturday

(25) Chris Owen d. (1) Michael Swaringen, 1-up

(13) Jaden Sprinkle d. (5) Ken Knowles, 3 and 2

---

(10) William Little d. (15) Justin Lefler, 6 and 5

(6) Landon Merrell d. (14) Keith Dorsett, 3 and 2

 

Semifinals, Sunday, 8 a.m.

(25) Chris Owen vs. (13) Jaden Sprinkle

(10) William Little vs/ (6) Landon Merrell

 

 

 

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