Texas Amateur: Kraft wins for second time
AUSTIN, Texas (June 19, 2011) -– The 102nd Texas Amateur Championship was one for the record books. Not only were record temperatures set throughout week, but a rare occasion is Texas golf history was accomplished. Austin Country Club hosted this year’s championship and proved to be a great challenge as only two players finished the week under par. In the end, Kelly Kraft secured his second Texas Amateur title in the past four years.
Kelly Kraft started the day one shot off the lead after firing three consecutive rounds of 71. Overnight leader Garret Driver maintained his lead through seven holes, but the turning point of the round came at the ninth hole. Driver, a Sam Houston State golf team member, made a costly double bogey that gave Kraft the lead. After Driver made a bogey on the fifteenth hole and Kraft made birdie on sixteen, the lead grew to 3 shots. After a 2-shot swing on the seventeenth hole, a little drama ensued on the final hole. Kraft missed the green with his approach shot on 18, but Driver was unable to take advantage. After Driver missed his long birdie attempt, Kraft holed a 5 foot putt to win the championship. Kraft, a member of the SMU golf team, played remarkably consistent in very challenging conditions. Kelly Kraft joined a select group on Sunday, becoming only the 18th player in the 102 year history to win the Texas Amateur multiple times.
Mike McCaffrey made a great run on the weekend, but came up just short in his bid to chase down the leaders. McCaffrey of League City had 6 birdies and 5 bogeys in an exciting final round. McCaffrey joined Kolton Crawford in a tie for third place at 2-over-par.
Crawford of Mansfield also made a charge on the weekend with rounds of 69-71. Crawford made three consecutive birdies on the back nine to move up the leader board. Scottie Scheffler and Hunter Brown tied for fifth place at 4-over-par for the championship.
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ABOUT THE
Texas Amateur
72 hole medal play walking-only championship first
played in 1906. At the completion of 36 holes the field
is cut to the low 54 and ties plus all players within 10
strokes of the lead.
18-hole qualifying rounds are held throughout the state
for players not otherwise exempt into the tournament
proper. Visit the Texas Golf Assocation website for
qualifier information.
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