BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – Rising junior Andrew Novak of the Wofford College men’s golf team defeated Jonathan Hardee 3 and 2 to win the 43rd South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship on Sunday afternoon at The Windermere Club.
Novak, the defending South Carolina Amateur champion, becomes the fourth person to hold the CGA South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship and SCGA South Carolina Amateur Championship titles at the same time, joining Jim Holmes (1977), Todd White (1990 SC Am-1991 SC Match Play) and Bert Atkinson (1995).
“It’s just unbelievable,” said Novak, a native of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. “Two of those guys – Atkinson and White – are legends in South Carolina. To be mentioned alongside them is a true honor.”
Novak went 1 up on the first hole with a par. Hardee sank birdies on holes 4 and 6 to take the lead for the first time, but Novak responded. He brought the match back all-square with a par right before the turn and took the lead back with a birdie at the par-5 10th.
“Getting it back to all-square at the turn was pretty big,” added Novak. “I got a little lucky on the 10th. Hardee hit a really good approach shot, but it went long, which is no good on that hole. I was able to make birdie and take the lead back.”
Hardee had an opportunity to bring the match all-square on 11. Novak’s drive went deep in the trees and he was forced to lay up to about 55 yards out. However, the rising junior rose up to the occasion, hitting a pitch within two feet to scramble for par.
Novak increased his lead to 2 up on 14, driving the green on the 310-yard par-4 and two-putting for birdie. He added the pressure on 15, sticking his approach shot near a water-guarded pin on the front-right portion of the green. Hardee tried to do the same but hit his approach in the hazard as Novak went 3 up.
Three holes up with three holes to play, Novak needed to draw just one hole to take the title. He did so with his first chance, making par on 16.
The amateur title makes it two in three days for the Terriers. Friday, rising sophomore Evan Grenus won the Connecticut Amateur. Rising junior Jeremy Grab also played in the SC Match Play with Novak and took Hardee to 20 holes in the semifinals before falling.
“We’ve got some talent on our team. Between myself, Evan and Jeremy, we went 14-1 in match play this weekend, which is really good. If that translates next year, we’re going to be a scary team.”