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OSUMG: Clark Engle/Will Grimmer Advance to 2nd Round of USGA Four-Ball
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This is sort of Ohio State golf related; Buckeyes Clark Engle and Will Grimmer are participating in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. This is not a NCAA sponsored event, it is overseen by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This casts the net for qualified participants far wider than under NCAA aegis. This is top level competition.
The Men”s Four-Ball is held at historic Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY. The starting field consisted of 128 2-man teams that will be reduced to the low 32 teams, based upon 36 holes of stroke play. These 32 teams will then participate in match play to determine the champion. The four-ball format is:
Each team or side is comprised of two players – although one player can constitute a side – and unlike foursomes (alternate shot) they each play their own ball and the lower score among the side is counted for each hole. So if Player A scores a 5 and Player B scores a 4, the side’s score is a 4.
This match play format is common in local club matches as well as prestigious international competition, such as The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup, for examples. I’ve played in quite a few four-ball events, and they are fun, challenging and turns very quickly into a chess-match. I actually prefer this format to stroke play..
Stroke Play
Clark and Will got off to a hot start (always a good thing) with a round of 65 (-5), which placed them within the top ten after the first round. In Sunday’s 2nd round, the Buckeye duo shot an even par 70, which placed them well inside the top 32 teams, seeding them in 17th place.
Mission accomplished: Clark and Will are comfortably in the playoff bracket and can continue their week.
Match Play (Round of 32)
Clark/Will faced off against the 16th seeded side of Mason Glinksi/Jacob Johnson in the first round of match play. The California teenagers are solid players (and play in a golf-friendly area) but Clark/Will bring experience against top level competition.
Clark/Will got off to a quick start, being 3-up after 6 holes. They ended the front 9 holding a 2-up lead. So far, so good. Through 5 holes on the back 9, Clark/Will won a hole while halving (tieing) 4 holes to hold a 3-up lead with 4 holes to go.
At this point, the match is pretty well in hand. All that Clark/Will need to do at this point is to halve two holes to move on to the round of sixteen. The teams halve #15 and Glinski/Johnson win #16. Clark/Will are now dormie 2, which means they are many holes ahead as there are to play. Their opponents must win the remaining holes.
Clark/Will match pars with Glinski/Johnson on #17 and close out the match with a 2-1 win. Clark/Will played this match perfectly. A team needs to jump out to an early lead to establish control, and the Buckeyes did, holding a 3-up lead after 6 holes. This forces your opponents into trying to “force” birdies, which makes them play differently then they probably ordinarily would. Remember, your team has the lead; all that your team needs to do at this point is make pars. Make them chase you; if you’ve already established an early lead, chances are your opponents, barring fortunate bounces, aren’t capable of making enough birdies to overtake you.
Through the 17 hole match, Clark/Will were -7 to par, their opponents -3. Congratulations to Clark and Will.
Their next match is Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM. If successful, they move onto the Elite Eight and a 1:00 PM match. Hopefully a double round on Tuesday; it will be a long day.
Go Buckeyes!
The post OSUMG: Clark Engle/Will Grimmer Advance to 2nd Round of USGA Four-Ball appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This is sort of Ohio State golf related; Buckeyes Clark Engle and Will Grimmer are participating in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. This is not a NCAA sponsored event, it is overseen by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This casts the net for qualified participants far wider than under NCAA aegis. This is top level competition.
The Men”s Four-Ball is held at historic Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY. The starting field consisted of 128 2-man teams that will be reduced to the low 32 teams, based upon 36 holes of stroke play. These 32 teams will then participate in match play to determine the champion. The four-ball format is:
Each team or side is comprised of two players – although one player can constitute a side – and unlike foursomes (alternate shot) they each play their own ball and the lower score among the side is counted for each hole. So if Player A scores a 5 and Player B scores a 4, the side’s score is a 4.
This match play format is common in local club matches as well as prestigious international competition, such as The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup, for examples. I’ve played in quite a few four-ball events, and they are fun, challenging and turns very quickly into a chess-match. I actually prefer this format to stroke play..
Stroke Play
Clark and Will got off to a hot start (always a good thing) with a round of 65 (-5), which placed them within the top ten after the first round. In Sunday’s 2nd round, the Buckeye duo shot an even par 70, which placed them well inside the top 32 teams, seeding them in 17th place.
Mission accomplished: Clark and Will are comfortably in the playoff bracket and can continue their week.
Match Play (Round of 32)
Clark/Will faced off against the 16th seeded side of Mason Glinksi/Jacob Johnson in the first round of match play. The California teenagers are solid players (and play in a golf-friendly area) but Clark/Will bring experience against top level competition.
Clark/Will got off to a quick start, being 3-up after 6 holes. They ended the front 9 holding a 2-up lead. So far, so good. Through 5 holes on the back 9, Clark/Will won a hole while halving (tieing) 4 holes to hold a 3-up lead with 4 holes to go.
At this point, the match is pretty well in hand. All that Clark/Will need to do at this point is to halve two holes to move on to the round of sixteen. The teams halve #15 and Glinski/Johnson win #16. Clark/Will are now dormie 2, which means they are many holes ahead as there are to play. Their opponents must win the remaining holes.
Clark/Will match pars with Glinski/Johnson on #17 and close out the match with a 2-1 win. Clark/Will played this match perfectly. A team needs to jump out to an early lead to establish control, and the Buckeyes did, holding a 3-up lead after 6 holes. This forces your opponents into trying to “force” birdies, which makes them play differently then they probably ordinarily would. Remember, your team has the lead; all that your team needs to do at this point is make pars. Make them chase you; if you’ve already established an early lead, chances are your opponents, barring fortunate bounces, aren’t capable of making enough birdies to overtake you.
Through the 17 hole match, Clark/Will were -7 to par, their opponents -3. Congratulations to Clark and Will.
Their next match is Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM. If successful, they move onto the Elite Eight and a 1:00 PM match. Hopefully a double round on Tuesday; it will be a long day.
Go Buckeyes!
The post OSUMG: Clark Engle/Will Grimmer Advance to 2nd Round of USGA Four-Ball appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...