Matthew Marx (left) hands Central Texas Trophy to Steve Paterson
Steve Paterson shot 70-74=144 to successfully defend his Central Texas Amateur title at Forest Creek Golf Club. Paterson recorded the only sub par round of the tournament by shooting 70 in the first round and was the only player to match par for two rounds. His play in the second round was good enough to secure his second CenTexAm title in two years.
Paterson is a consistent contender and winner in the local golf scene. He finished tied for 9th in the Texas Amateur earlier this summer and recently was in a playoff for the Chester Cup where Robert Evans finally prevailed with a birdie on the third hole of the playoff.
Brenden Redfern
Two shots behind Paterson was runner-up Brendon Redfern. Redfern played steadily and shot 73-73=146. Redfern, a former winner of the Firecracker Open at age 14, recently graduated from the University of Arizona where he played college golf. Redfern kept the pressure on Paterson all day and came to the last hole two shots down. After two good shots, he had a 20 footer for birdie. Paterson left his second shot some 70 feet from the hole. He putted to about three feet and marked. Redfern missed his birdie putt and Paterson made the three footer to secure the victory.
Jake Ezell
Jake Ezell, who played his high school golf at Lake Travis High School and now plays college golf at Charleston Southern University, finished third with 75-74=149. Conrad Smith finished fourth with 72-78=150.
Mike Allen and Peach Reynolds tied for low senior with a total of 155 for two rounds.
The golf course at Forest Creek Country Club was in excellent shape with fast greens and healthy rough. With a steady breeze between 10-15 mph, the course presented players with a stern but fair test of golf that required good ball striking, good decision making and good chipping and putting to score well. As usual in this tournament, even par will either win or come close to winning.
Matthew Marx and all the staff at Forest Creek did an excellent job of preparing the course and running the event. Players received a golf shirt, two meals and beverages along with two rounds of golf for their entry fee. The pace of play was helped by having fore caddies on most of the holes.
