By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
By his own admission, Gavin Wilhelm didn't have his best putting performance in the 2023 Topeka Golf Association City Match Play tournament at Western Hills Golf Course.
Washburn University golfer Gavin Wilhelm reacts to his championship-winning putt in Sunday's TGA City Match Play tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman product and current Washburn University golfer Gavin Wilhelm captured his first City Match Play championship Sunday at Western Hills, taking a 1-up decision over Bryan Tyrell. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN
But the former Seaman standout and current Washburn University golfer made his biggest putt of the week, draining a clutch 8-footer on the 18th hole Sunday to claim a 1-up victory over recent Washburn Rural graduate Bryan Tyrell.
Wilhelm, who plays football and golf for the Ichabods, also drained big putts on the 15th and 16th holes to protect his slim lead over Tyrell but the 2022 Seaman graduate also missed a relatively short putt on No. 17 to open the door for Tyrell, a Class 6A state qualifier this spring.
Wilhelm, the No. 8 tournament seed, also had to punch the ball back into the fairway after getting too far left on his final drive, but he executed his punchout perfectly and then hit his approach close before sinking the championship-winnning par putt.
"I felt like I hadn't made too many putts throughout this tournament so being able to capitalize on those in the very end of the match was really cool,'' Wilhelm said.
Wilhelm gave Tyrell credit for giving him a tough match to the very end.
"I believe on the front nine I had five birdies and two bogeys, so I got a couple of holes on him. but he started to catch up and just keep continuing with me and I believe he played better golf than I did on the back nine,'' Wilhelm said. "But I had a couple holes where I matched his birdies and that last hole, being able to make that putt in front of all the people -- nerves shaking, an 8-footer -- it was a cool experience.''
Although he would have loved to have won the championship, No. 7 seed Tyrell really had no complaints with how he played throughout the tournament.
City Match Play runnerup Bryan Tyrell chips the ball on the 17th hole in Sunday's final round. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I played really well,'' Tyrell said. "I hit the ball perfectly and could have made a few more putts today but I played well this week.''
Tyrell, who is headed to Nebraska to study golf management, reached the final with a 4 and 3 semifinal win over No. 6 seed Jerry Kruger while Wilhelm advanced with a 1-up win over No. 5 seed Adam Head.
Wilhelm knocked off top seed Addison Alonzo 1 up in the quarterfinals while Tyrell eliminated No. 2 seed James Monson, 1 up.
Washburn Rural product Tyler Baumchen claimed the title in the President's Flight with a 2-and-1 decision over Chris Berroth.
TOPEKA GOLF ASSOCIATION CITY MATCH PLAY TOURNAMENT
At Western Hills
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
FINAL
(8) Gavin Wilhelm def. (7) Bryan Tyrell, 1 up
SEMIFINALS
(8) Gavin Wilhelm def. (5) Adam Head, 1 up
(7) Bryan Tyrell def. (6) Jerry Kruger, 4&3
QUARTERFINALS
(8) Gavin Wilhelm def. (1) Addison Alonzo, 1 up
(5) Adam Head def. (4) Myles Alonzo, 3&2
(7) Bryan Tyrell def. (2) James Monson, 1 up
(6) Jerry Kruger def. (3) Mac McFarland, 2&1
ROUND OF 16
(1) Addison Alonzo def. (16) Jack Hillman, 7&5
(8) Gavin Wilhelm def. (9) Scott Rinehart, 2&1
(4 )Myles Alonzo def. (13) Ty Peterson, 4&3
(5) Adam Head def. (12) Blake Buessing, 1 up - 19 holes
(2 )James Monson def. (15) Eric Kolean, 5&4
(7) Bryan Tyrell def. (10) Brian Walker, 2 up
(3) Mac McFarland def. (19) Tyler Wheat, 6&5
(6) Jerry Kruger def. (11) Emory Dease, 2&1
PRESIDENT'S FLIGHT
FINAL
(17) Tyler Baumchen def. (14) Chris Berroth, 2&1
SEMIFINALS
(17) Tyler Baumchen def. (20) Jack Noller, 9&8
(14) Chris Berroth def. (18) Matt Herrman, 1 up - 19 holes
