Matt Lorenz, the 2018 Alabama State Amateur champion (AGA photo)
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 10, 2018) – Matt Lorenz of Fairhope won the 102nd Alabama State Amateur Championship, leading wire-to-wire while setting the all-time lowest 72-hole score in championship history with an 18-under 270 total at Pine Tree Country Club.
The previous scoring record was 271 held by Charles (Bubba) Major of Birmingham at the 1969 State Amateur contested at Selma Country Club. Alabama State Amateur format was changed from match play to stroke play in 1955.
Lorenz, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Southern Mississippi, fired a final round five-under 67 that included seven birdies and two bogeys. He reached 20-under par for the championship after his seventh birdie on the 13th hole extending his lead to nine shots. However bogeys on two of his four finishing holes dropped him back to 18-under which still set the scoring record.
Austin Gean of Florence posted a seven-under 65 to vault into a solo second place finish at 275 (-13).
Defending champion Taylor Eyster of Birmingham carded a two-under 70 to finish in third place at 277 (-11).
John Racciatti, Jr. of Fairhope tied a Pine Tree Country Club course record with a nine-under 63 pacing him to a fourth place finish at 278 (-10).
Round 4 Notes:
- 14 players finished the championship under par with field average score of 74.24 for the final round.
- 63 (-9) was the low round of the day and championship carded by John Racciatti, Jr.
- 195 birdies and 6 eagles posted in round three.
- Easiest hole: No. 6, 493 yard par 5, 4.61 scoring average.
- Hardest Hole: No. 3, 379 yard par 4, 4.4 scoring average.
View results for Alabama State Amateur
ABOUT THE
Alabama State Amateur
Entries are open to any male amateur golfer who is
a
legal resident of Alabama, and has an active GHIN®
USGA Handicap Index® at an
AGA member club that does not exceed 8.4. Pre-
qualifying for non-exempt players, followed by 72
holes
of stroke play.
View Complete Tournament Information