Tyler’s Hickman captures Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play title

Published 5:28 pm Sunday, July 30, 2023

For the second time in four years, Tyler’s Aaron Hickman claimed the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play Championship.

Hickman scored a 2-and-1 victory over Matthew Sullivan, of Lewisville, in the Texas Golf Association event on Sunday morning at Cross Timbers Golf Course in Azle.

Hickman also won in 2020 at his home course, Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. Hickman was the No. 3 seed entering match play, while Sullivan was No. 17.

Hickman took a 1-up lead on the par-4 No. 1 hole. After both golfers made a par (No. 2) and a birdie (No. 3), next up was the 420-yard par-4 fourth hole and Hickman made his second consecutive birdie after sticking his approach shot within seven feet. Hickman and Sullivan then traded holes back and forth through No. 10. Sullivan added his second birdie of the front nine on the 332-yard par-4 eighth after sinking a 12-footer uphill right to left. Hickman’s largest lead on the front nine was 3 up but Sullivan fought back to get to within one after nine-holes.

The former Palestine High School and TCU golfer won the 10th hole after Sullivan’s par putt edged past the hole. After tying holes Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14, Hickman’s birdie putt on the 519-yard par 15th was conceded after Sullivan’s up and down from the bunker wouldn’t fall.

Standing on the par-3 16th, Hickman made the match dormie — 3 up with three holes to go. Sullivan drained at 20-foot birdie putt to extend the match to No. 17. After finding the fairway on the par-4 17th, Sullivan’s approach found the front of the green with a back left hole location. Hickman’s drive found the right rough but he was able to muscle one up to the front of the green, about the same distance as Sullivan’s. After both players missed their birdie putt, Hickman’s par putt was conceded for the championship.

In the stroke-play qualifying, Hickman tied for first with a 4-under 68, but was given the No. 3 seed. Tyler’s Seth Murphy tied for eighth with an even 72.

In the round of 32, Hickman defeated No. 30 Bob Forneris, of Richardson, 4-and-2. Murphy, the No. 10 seed, defeated No. 23 Tyler Palmer, of Irving, 4-and-3.

Hickman and Murphy both advanced in the Round of 16. Hickman won over No. 14 Brandon Grace, of Mansfield, 1-up. Murphy, a former University of Arkansas golfer and a native of Athens, defeated No. 7 Kendrick Vinar, of Richardson, 1-up.

In the quarterfinals, Murphy scored a 2-and-1 win over No. 15 Anthony Estorga, of Dallas. Hickman topped No. 6 Matt Miller, of McKinney, 4-and-3.

That set up an all-Tyler matchup with Hickman winning 1-up over Murphy in the semifinals.

The Mid-Amateur Match Play is open to players 25 years of age or older and hold a handicap index of 5.4 or less. The unique format starts with 84 players competing in an 18-hole stroke play qualifying round. From there, the low 32 players advance to the match play portion of the championship. Matches take place over three days, with 36-holes being played Friday and Saturday for those who continue to advance, and an 18-hole championship match to crown the champion.

By winning the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, Hickman was awarded 750 points toward Statewide Player of the Year standings.

Next on the state championship schedule is the Texas Four-Ball which will be contested Aug. 18-20 at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview. Texas Mid-Amateur and Texas Senior Amateur qualifying is underway for the TGA with sites scattered across the state for the next two months. The Texas Mid-Amateur will be hosted by Midland Country Club Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The Texas Senior Amateur will be hosted by Amarillo Country Club Sept. 8-10.