After a Monday round on Course No. 4 and a Tuesday journey over the Donald Ross classic No. 2 offering, the field of 156 golfers was culled to 64 for the start of today's match play. First-round matches started this morning and continue throughout the day. All match play is scheduled to be held on No. 2.
The Pilot had an early deadline because of the Fourth of July holiday, so qualifying results were not available at press time. Results are available on the newspaper's Web site, thepilot.com.
Thursday will be a busy day at No. 2. In the morning, the second round of match play will be held, followed by the third round in the afternoon. Things slow down a bit on Friday, although the golf promises to heat up as the field is reduced to the final eight golfers.
Semifinals are slated for Saturday, with the championship reaching its conclusion on Sunday with a 36-hole final between the two golfers remaining in the week-long competition.
Last year, Sean Moore, a rising senior at Wake Forest, defeated Ryan Posey, a member of the Oklahoma State team that won this year's NCAA national championship, in 37 holes. It was the second consecutive year that Posey had finished as runner-up. As the defending champion, Moore earned an automatic berth into match play. Posey also returned for another shot at the championship.
Also entered in this year's event was Webb Simpson of Raleigh, the No. 1 ranked men's amateur and a second-team All-American at Wake Forest.
Local favorite Robert Riesen of Pinehurst was also entered in the event. Riesen, a Pinecrest graduate who is coming off an All-ACC freshman season at UNC, finished second in the N. C. Amateur held at Forest Creek Golf Club several weeks ago.
