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Eschenburg no match at tourney
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| Matt Eschenburg, of The Woodlands, was all smiles after winning the second Houston Golf Association Collegiate Match Play title Thursday. |
By Howard Roden
Matt Eschenburg enjoyed his first individual title since his high school days at The Woodlands when he captured the Houston Golf Association’s second Collegiate Match Play Championship Thursday at the Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring.
After he defeated Virginia Tech’s Matt Boyd in 19 holes during a semifinals match in the morning, Eschenburg jumped out to an early lead en route to a 3-and-2 triumph over Texas-Arlington’s Cameron Hollek, of Richmond, in the finals.
Eschenburg, 20, was a member of the Highlander boys golf teams that won the Class 5A state title in 2005 and finished fourth in 2006.
“It was a relief, it’s been awhile,” Eschenburg said of his victory. “I’ve hit the ball really well the past three years, but my putter has let me down. This time I putted well enough the whole week to give me the victory.
“It was really nice.”
A sophomore at the University of Houston, Eschenburg qualified for the 16-man match play field by posting rounds of 71 and 78 during the stroke play rounds at the 7,096-yard, par-72 Tradition Course.
He opened match play Wednesday with a 4-and-3 win over Chris Walker, another former TWHS golfer. Walker plays for Notre Dame.
Later that day, Eschenburg eliminated Mark Ripley, of Pasadena, 7-and-6.
Eschenburg started strong in both matches. He was 4-under through the 15 holes against Walker and was 7-under in the 12 holes vs. Ripley.
After birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, Eschenburg holed out a 110-yard wedge shot at the par-5 12th for an eagle to end the match.
“I like that course,” Eschenburg said. “I’ve played qualifying tournaments there before. I hit my irons very, very well.”
Eschenburg trailed Boyd, who hails from Sugar Land, by one with two to play in the morning semifinal match Thursday. But Eschenburg birded the par-4 17th to even the match, then drained a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th to force overtime.
Eschenburg two-putted from 15 feet for par at the par-4 first for the victory after Boyd struggled with an errant drive.
“I really felt confident in the finals,” Eschenburg said. “I did not hit the ball as well against Boyd, but winning that match gave me an extra boost.”
Like he had on Wednesday, Eschenburg got off to a fast start vs. Hollek, playing the first seven holes in three-under. That enabled Eschenburg to grab a commanding 4-up lead through 10 holes.
“I felt I played some great golf most of the week,” he said.
Originally a signee with Lamar University in Beaumont, Eschenburg transferred to Houston, where he plays for the Cougars golf team.
After he defeated Virginia Tech’s Matt Boyd in 19 holes during a semifinals match in the morning, Eschenburg jumped out to an early lead en route to a 3-and-2 triumph over Texas-Arlington’s Cameron Hollek, of Richmond, in the finals.
Eschenburg, 20, was a member of the Highlander boys golf teams that won the Class 5A state title in 2005 and finished fourth in 2006.
“It was a relief, it’s been awhile,” Eschenburg said of his victory. “I’ve hit the ball really well the past three years, but my putter has let me down. This time I putted well enough the whole week to give me the victory.
“It was really nice.”
A sophomore at the University of Houston, Eschenburg qualified for the 16-man match play field by posting rounds of 71 and 78 during the stroke play rounds at the 7,096-yard, par-72 Tradition Course.
He opened match play Wednesday with a 4-and-3 win over Chris Walker, another former TWHS golfer. Walker plays for Notre Dame.
Later that day, Eschenburg eliminated Mark Ripley, of Pasadena, 7-and-6.
Eschenburg started strong in both matches. He was 4-under through the 15 holes against Walker and was 7-under in the 12 holes vs. Ripley.
After birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, Eschenburg holed out a 110-yard wedge shot at the par-5 12th for an eagle to end the match.
“I like that course,” Eschenburg said. “I’ve played qualifying tournaments there before. I hit my irons very, very well.”
Eschenburg trailed Boyd, who hails from Sugar Land, by one with two to play in the morning semifinal match Thursday. But Eschenburg birded the par-4 17th to even the match, then drained a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th to force overtime.
Eschenburg two-putted from 15 feet for par at the par-4 first for the victory after Boyd struggled with an errant drive.
“I really felt confident in the finals,” Eschenburg said. “I did not hit the ball as well against Boyd, but winning that match gave me an extra boost.”
Like he had on Wednesday, Eschenburg got off to a fast start vs. Hollek, playing the first seven holes in three-under. That enabled Eschenburg to grab a commanding 4-up lead through 10 holes.
“I felt I played some great golf most of the week,” he said.
Originally a signee with Lamar University in Beaumont, Eschenburg transferred to Houston, where he plays for the Cougars golf team.
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