Recently I got word that a buddy of mine, Kevin Simons, had earned his way into the Oregon Amateur Golf Championships. Not only had he earned a spot in the tournament, he did it by sinking a 25 foot birdie putt in an extra hole playoff! Luckily I was able to break away for a while, I am on summer break so it wasn't that hard, and walk the course with him. The tournament took place at Tualatin Country Club in Tualatin Oregon. The weather could have been a little better, but it was nothing an umbrella couldn't handle. When I got there Monday afternoon I was the only spectator in the group. About 9 holes later Kevin's Mom, Sister, Grandma and Grandpa came to show their support. They had just about missed a great finish to the front 9. Kevy was +2 at the turn and was sitting tied for 15th. He went on to have a few bogeys on the back but mostly pars. He ended up shooting a 76, a great score, especially considering the pressure that he had to be feeling.
Kevin was able to finish the first day ranked in the low 40's. The top 64 after two days move on to match play, he was sitting in a pretty good place.
Day 2 got off to a great start, besides not having a caddie for a few holes.
Starting in the par 5 eleventh hole, Kevy recorded a birdie and was -1 right out of the clubhouse. After a bogey he was able to keep it at even par for most of the front 9. After an unfortunate lost ball, which never came down from a tree, he was able to battle back and card a nice front 9 score. This momentum carried over to the back 9 and helped propel Kevin to a two day total of 151, 156 was the cut score. This put him ranked 27th and ready for match play.
Match play began on Wednesday and the players finally got a break in the weather. After the first few holes Kevin sat at all square with Matt Keyser of Lake Oswego. Keyser then jumped out to a 4 up lead before Kevy cut into it by winning the 9th hole. Kevin was 3 down going into the 13 hole, where he started his comeback, winning the 13th and 14th holes. The deficit was now 1 hole heading to 15. Kevin was about to bring the match back to all square when he caught a bad lie and lost the hole. Until this unfortunate break the momentum was undoubtedly swinging in Kevin's favor. A few holes later the match came to an end, with Keyser winning 3&2.
Overall, Kevin was happy with how he played and I'm sure it was nice to get his first championship tournament experience under his belt. In talking with Kevin he told me, "I'm happy, next hear I will win a couple of matches". So don't rest on Kevin Simons. If anybody can set their mind to something and accomplish it, it's him. I've seen him do it in many other aspects of his life. Way to go Kevy Kev and thanks for letting me come out and walk with you. Oh and...thanks for not going all Tiger on me while I was snapping pictures!!!
Edited in Blogsy for iPad
