July 20, 2012

OREM -- After making it to the final of the Utah State Amateur last year, Utah Valley University golfer Stratton Schulz bowed out in the quarterfinals with a 2&1 loss to Zac Blair Saturday at the Salt Lake County Club.

The duo was all square after the first hole, and after Blair went 1 up after the second hole, Schulz wasn't able to square the match in the final 16 holes. Schulz, who never trailed by more than two holes, was down one heading into the final two holes, but they both made par on 17 and a birdie on 18, allowing Blair to preserve the win.

In the Round of 32, Schulz was in control against Steve Poulson. Schulz was 3 up through six holes before Poulson pulled to with one with a back-to-back birdies on No. 7 and No. 8.

Schulz birdied 10, 13 and 15 to win 4&3.

In the round of 16, Schulz was 1 down to BYU's Devon Purser through 15 holes, but he birdied the last three holes to win 2 up.

In the round of 32 Friday, UVU's Mason Casper went 2 down after the first two holes against Jon Wright, but he fought back with birdies on hole No. 3 and hole No. 8 two square the match.

Wright, however, recorded back-to-back birdies on holes No. 9 and 10 as well as birdies in No. 12 and No. 14 to go 4 up through 14. Both parred No. 15 and Wright won the match 4&3.

In other golf news: Incoming freshman Cory Eccles shot 12-under par to finish second at the Quebec Provincial Jr. Champions. He shot rounds of 69-68-68-71.