105th Maryland Amateur Champion Kyle Gebhart
Championship Bracket
Photos: Stroke Play Qualifying
Photos: Match Play
Chevy Chase, Md. – Kyle Gebhart of Manor Country Club capped off a remarkable week at Columbia Country Club on Sunday, defeating Matthew Cocorikis of the MSGA eClub, 8&7, to capture the 105th Maryland Amateur Championship.
The victory completed an impressive run for Gebhart, who entered match play as the stroke play medalist after prevailing in a five-way playoff on Friday morning. He then navigated five match-play victories over the next three days to claim Maryland’s most prestigious amateur title.
The First 18
The 105th Maryland Amateur Championship Match got underway at 7:30 am. Although Cocorikis struck first with a win on the opening hole, Gebhart quickly seized control. He responded by winning six consecutive holes and added another victory on the 9th to build a commanding 6-up advantage at the turn.
Gebhart extended his lead to 7-up with a win on the 10th hole before Cocorikis mounted a brief rally. Victories on the 12th, 15th, and 16th holes trimmed the deficit to four, but Gebhart answered immediately on the 17th to restore a 5-up lead. After a pair of pars on the 18th hole, Gebhart maintained his 5-up lead at the break.
The Second 18
After a momentary intermission, the second half of the championship match teed off at 12:30 pm. Needing a fast start, Cocorikis opened the afternoon session with wins on the 1st and 2nd holes to cut the margin to three. However, each time Cocorikis gained momentum, Gebhart had an answer.
Gebhart halted the rally with a win on the 3rd hole and continued to pull away with victories on the 5th and 7th. Holding a 6-up advantage entering the back nine of the afternoon round, Gebhart closed out the championship in emphatic fashion by winning the 10th and 11th holes to secure an 8&7 victory and the title.
Interview with Kyle Gebhart
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The victory placed Gebhart alongside fellow Manor Country Club member Ben Warnquist in the championship record book. Like Warnquist’s 2017 title run at Columbia Country Club, Gebhart first earned medalist honors in stroke play qualifying before claiming the Maryland Amateur Championship, becoming the first player in nine years to achieve the double.
In addition to the championship trophy, Gebhart earned an exemption into the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship, scheduled for August 10-16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.
The Maryland State Golf Association would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff and membership of Columbia Country Club for their support of this championship and for helping make it a memorable week of golf.
Looking to read more on this year’s 105th Maryland Amateur? Check out the recaps from each day of the Amateur below!
Day 1: Kyle Gebhart Wins Five-Way Playoff to Capture Maryland Amateur Stroke Play Medalist Honors
Day 2: Espenshade Leads Final Eight Into Maryland Amateur Quarterfinals
Day 3: Cocorikis & Gebhart Highlight the 105th Maryland Amateur Finals
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To serve, grow, and advance the game of golf in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
