Pinehurst’s Martin leads after round two of the Carolinas Am

Second round results of the 105th Carolinas Amateur Championship at Governors Club in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday, July 12, 2019

Reigning Carolinas Amateur champion, Joshua Martin of Pinehurst, N.C. is in prime position to defend the title. Martin fired a 5-under-par, 67 in round two to take a two-shot lead heading into the weekend.

“I feel just as confident as my game was last year,” said Martin. “I haven’t played this course as much as Country Club of North Carolina but enjoyed playing it. It’s a good challenge. You’ve got to execute shots and I’ve done that.”

Martin made a birdie on his first hole but failed to really get things going on his opening nine. He made two birdies and two bogeys to turn with an even-par, 36. A birdie on No. 1, his 10^th hole of the round was the first of six birdies on his closing nine holes.

His final birdie of the round came on the par-5, eighth hole after hitting a wayward drive that was almost out of play. Martin had hit a provisional in case his original drive was lost but he was able find his ball, punch out to the fairway and get up and down for a birdie, four.

“It felt good to get a birdie after a bad drive but It’s still early in the tournament,” said Martin. “I don’t feel like leading or being a few back makes a huge difference at this point. Giving yourself a chance going into the final round is really what you’re looking for. I’ve done a good job of that so far.”

Peter Fountain of Raleigh, N.C. already has one CGA Championship title under his belt this summer and is within reach of a second. Fountain got off to a slow start, but was able to rally on his second nine to finish with a round of 4-under-par, 68 to pull within two shots of Martin. Fountain won the 52nd N.C. Junior Boys’ Championship just down the road at Lonnie Poole Golf Course in June.

“I’m feeling really similar to how I played at the (North Carolina Junior Championship),” said Fountain. “I’m playing with a ton of confidence especially with how I finished today. I’m hitting it well and started putting well in the end so I feel like my game is in a similar spot and hopefully can carry that momentum into tomorrow.”

Luke Hackworth of Charlotte, N.C. will complete Saturday’s final pairing. Luke fired a one-under-par, 71 in round two and now sits at 5-under-par for the championship.

While it wasn’t the lowest score of the day, the round of the day goes to Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C. Simson is a two-time winner of the Carolinas Amateur Championship and the winningest player in CGA history. He was able to shoot his age in round two with a four-under-par, 68. Simson is even par for the championship.

105th Carolinas Amateur Championship
Governors Club | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Second Round Results

Courtesy photo/Contributed.