FOR RELEASE: Sunday, June 4, 2017
JU’s SAM UHLAND CLAIMS 7th JAGA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
AT TPC SAWGRASS-DYE’S VALLEY
-2016 runner-up pars 18th hole to outlast Devin Suri of St. Augustine 1 up-
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – After admittedly letting the 2016 crown get away, Jacksonville University rising-junior Sam Uhland of Jacksonville calmly rolled in a 6- foot par putt on the 18th hole on Sunday to seal a 1-up victory over St. Augustine’s Devin Suri in the Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) Match Play Championship at TPC Sawgrass-Dye’s Valley course.
The 20-year-old Uhland, who plays out of TPC Sawgrass, moved into a 2-up lead after seven holes of the championship match, only to lose the eighth and ninth. He regained a 1-up lead on the par-3 11th when Suri found water off the tee. The pair would post identical scores over the final seven holes, giving Uhland just enough cushion to claim the title.
JU’s Sam Uhland claims 7th JAGA Match Play Championship title
TPC Sawgrass crowns another 2017 champion, Sam Uhland!
2017 JAGA Match Play champion Sam Uhland plays out of TPC Sawgrass
Uhland was the Championship’s No. 2 seed as a result of his runner-up finish to Michael Smith last year at Atlantic Beach Country Club. Suri was the 17th seed based on his finish in last Sunday’s Qualifier at World Golf Village-Slammer & Squire.
In pursuit of the title, the Providence High School graduate Uhland defeated Nathan Powell 3&2, Kyle Jewett 5&4 and fellow TPC Sawgrass golfer John Felice 4&3 on Sunday morning.
The 21-year-old Suri played his way into the final with an identical 4&3 semifinal win vs. 19-year-old McCullough Pickens of Sea Island, Ga. and Belmont (Tenn.) University. Suri, who plays out of the Golf Club at South Hampton, won convincing first- and second-round victories over Matt Salane (6&4) and defending champion Smith (5&3).
In the consolation match, the youthful Pickens was too much for the 52-year-old Felice, garnering a 6&4 win.
In addition to being the seventh name etched on the JAGA Match Play Championship trophy, Uhland was presented an engraved silver sterling money clip from Underwood Jewelers by Tournament Chairman Thomas Bozzuto of Hyde Park Golf Club.
Recap of Sunday Matches:
Semifinals:
Devin Suri def. McCullough Pickens, 4&3
Sam Uhland def. John Felice, 4&3
Consolation Match:
McCullough Pickens def. John Felice, 6&4
Championship Match:
Sam Uhland def. Devin Suri, 1 up
The match play brackets and other Championship information are available at www.jaxareagolf.org.
JAGA’s next big amateur championship is the July 20-22 Jacksonville Amateur Championship, to be conducted at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
-JAGA-
ABOUT JAGA
Established in 1954, JAGA celebrates its 64th year in 2017. It is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (4) corporation comprised of over 40-member golf clubs located in the Northeast Florida area. JAGA’s mission is to promote golf and goodwill through tournaments and related events and activities. JAGA manages a scholarship program that annually provides college funding for 26 area students. Since 1974 the program has generated approximately $1.7 million in financial aid to approximately 300 students.
Contact:
Jeff Adams
JAGA VP-Tournaments
Cell: 904-607-6142
Email: jeffreytadams71@gmail.com