Champion Harry Reynolds
(CGA Photo)
BUIES CREEK, NC (May 19, 2018) - It was a battle until the end at the 3rd Carolinian Amateur at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, N.C., but Harry Reynolds ultimately claimed the title. Reynolds finished the round 8-under-par with a score of 64 in the final round and defeated Amarin Kraivixien in a three-hole playoff for his first CGA title.
In the opening rounds of the tournament, Reynolds was not near the top of the leader board. After the first day of rainy competition, he was 2-over-over par, but improved his score by 5 shots in the second round for an overall score of one-under-par.
Headed into the final round, the Greenville-native was six shots behind leader Zach Swanson of Charlotte, N.C. An intimidating task ahead of him, Reynolds said the key to his comeback and eventual domination of the third day of play was his consistency in putting.
"I came back to my putter today," Reynolds said. "I went out there with no expectations and just tried to have a good third round, and it really starting going for me. I knew if I kept going, I might really have a chance."
A tight race between the top players for most of the day, Reynolds waited while the previous day's leaders finished their rounds. Eventual runner-up Kraivixien birdied his final hole to tie Reynolds at 8-under-par, and a sudden-death playoff decided the champion. Both players missed long putts on the first hole for par, but both birdied the second hole. In the final and determining hole, Kraivixien left his putt short, while Reynolds sank a 25-foot putt to take home the title.
The 18-year-old will head to Indiana University in the fall to play collegiate golf. He said winning this tournament brought him confidence in his competitive abilities that he will take to his collegiate career, but for now, he is just enjoying the moment.
"It hasn't quite sank in yet," Reynolds said. "Obviously, going into the day, it never really crossed my mind, but it's a great feeling."
The Carolinian Amateur is 54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is but to the low 70 scores and ties.
View results for Carolinian Amateur
ABOUT THE
Carolinian Amateur
The tournament format is 54-holes of stroke play for
male amateur golfers ages 16 and older who have a
USGA handicap index of 9.9 or lower at a CGA
member
club. The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties
after 36-holes. The champion will receive an
exemption
into the Carolinas Amateur.
View Complete Tournament Information