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Houchin Takes Home 30th Amateur Match Play Championship

The 20 year -old Merritt Island native captures his first FSGA Championship by virture of defeating seven straight oponents at Hobe Sound Golf Club

By Florida State Golf Association

August 1^st, 2022

Starting Thursday with 64, 16 advance to the weekend

The unique event begins with 64 players in 16 pools of four players each, all playing a head-to-head match against each other, worth 1 point. If players tie the match, each will receive a half point. After three matches, the player with most points will advance to the Round of 16.

Houchin Takes Home 30th Amateur Match Play Championship

Everyone battling for the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage

Clark vs. Houchin and Latowski vs. Cooper Smith

Three current collegiate players Andrew Clark (University of Kentucky), John Houchin (Stetson University) and Cooper Smith (University of North Florida) were joined by Mid-Amateur champion, Joey Latowski in the Sunday morning Semifinals.

Houchin vs. Latowski in Final

Houchin would hold on in a back & forth match in the morning to defeat Andrew Clark 1 up.

Cooper Smith would win the first hole with an eagle against Latowski, then the pair halved five straight holes before Latowski won the seventh and eighth. Smith would never see the lead again in a match that was never more than 1 up. The duo traded birdies on the 14th and 15th and ended regulations in a tie. The pair finished with pars on the 19th hole. On the 20th hole, Latowski holed a 8-foot par save, while Smith missed a 4-foot putt to extend the match.

The finals started off all Houchin, taking control with a 3-up lead through nine holes.

Latowski Scrambles to put pressure on

Latowski would show light, birding the 10th and 11th before bogeying the 12th to fall back to 3 down.

Houchin wins 5 & 4

Latowski would ultimately bogey the 12th, 13th and 14th, giving Houchin a 5-and-4 victory on a day that saw both competitors grinding it out in the Florida heat!

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