It was closer than Josh Martin liked, but the former Pinecrest standout golfer hung on to win the 104th Carolinas Amateur Championship at the County Club of North Carolina Sunday in convincing fashion, shooting 8-under par for four days and beating his closest opponent by three strokes.
Cruising through the first three days of the tournament, the rising senior at the University of North Carolina, set the pace early by shooting an impressive 71, 66, 70 over the first three days of the tournament on the par-72 Dogwood course.
Sunday was a different story.
In an up-and-down round – 4 birdies, 3 bogies and a double bogey, Martin saw his lead cut to only three shots during the day. His steady play on the back 9 was the difference over Spencer Oxendine of Fayetteville, the eventual runner-up.
Preyer Fountain of Raleigh and playing for the University of North Carolina tees off in the final round of the 104th Carolina Amateur.
Martin credits his success in golf to a decision he made at age 8. Always athletic and playing different sports, he decided to concentrate on golf. He plans to turn pro after his senior year.
This is Martin’s third Carolinas Golf Association title after winning the North Carolina Amateur in 2014 and the Carolinas Young Amateur in 2015.
Feature photo: Josh Martin, winner of the 104th Carolina Amateur held at the Country Club of North Carolina.
Article and photos by John Patota, Sandhills Sentinel Contributor.
