LEXINGTON, KY (May 10, 2021) – The powerhouse duo of Matt Epperson and Andy Roberts showcased their combined talent together on Monday in the Kentucky Team Championship at Kearney Hill Golf Links. This was the first state championship in Kentucky amateur golf for the 2021 season, and Epperson and Roberts, two players who are no strangers to winning state championships, found themselves in a familiar spot come day’s end. That being the winner’s circle, by way of a five-stroke victory over Eric King and Alex Wright.

The tournament’s Open Division (players aged 49 or younger) played 36 holes on Monday under the four-ball format throughout the day. At the conclusion of the first round, King/Wright were one stroke ahead of Epperson/Roberts as well as Avery Edwards and Drake Stepter. It did not take long in the afternoon, however, for Epperson/Roberts to capture the solo lead and distance themselves from the pack. An outward nine of 31 (-5) in the second round preceded a five-hole stretch on their back nine that featured four birdies and an eagle. The eagle came courtesy of Epperson, who jarred his approach from approximately 70 yards on the par-four 5^th. That hole-out signified this day belonged to them, and in the end the torrid scoring added up to a round of 61 (-11) with Epperson carding an individual round of 69 (-3) while Roberts fired 65 (-7) with his own ball.

A strong argument is beginning to form that Roberts might be the best four-ball player in the state of Kentucky. The Owensboro resident will be competing in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship later this month at Chambers Bay just outside of Seattle, Washington with Rob Crockett. Their qualification for that championship came from a qualifier at Big Spring Country Club in Louisville last September where they took medalist honors by four shots via a 61 (-11) in which Roberts happened to shoot 65 (-7) by himself there as well. This latest four-ball success today puts Roberts in good form entering his trip to the pacific northwest, with that competition scheduled to begin May 22.

Several other division titles were also rewarded on Monday in both gross and net departments. The Senior, Masters and Legends Divisions each played only 18 holes on Monday with those rounds taking place in the morning.

• Open, Net: Pete Cornett & Michael Huff – 128 (-16)
• Senior, Gross: Greg Engle & David Rudder – 70 (-2) *defeated Mark Adams & Jerry Mayes in a five-hole playoff*
• Senior, Net: Mark Adams & Jerry Mayes – 65 (-7)
• Masters, Gross: Gary Backlund & Scott Pottinger – 73 (+1) *defeated James Harper & Phillip Harper in conceded playoff*
• Masters, Net: Mike Akers & Charles Martin – 70 (-2)
• Legends, Gross: Vernon Denham & Jerry Edwards – 73 (+1)
• Legends, Net: Terry Bowman & Rick Cain – 70 (-2)

NOTES & STATS

• The aforementioned eagle from Epperson was one of three gross eagles recorded throughout the day. His was the only one on a par-four, however, while Stephen Warren made eagle on the par-five 3^rd with Drake Stepter also making eagle on the par-five 18^th.
• The wind and chilly temperatures made it a difficult day for scoring, but the hole that yielded the most generous of results was the par-four 6^th. It played to a stroke-to-par average of +0.20, making it the easiest hole of the competition.
• A slight rarity for Golf House Kentucky competitions, the hardest hole of the event was a par-three. It was the 12^th that played most difficult with a stroke-to-par average of +0.55. Just three birdies were made on it today.

Click here to view the final results

Click here to view the photo gallery

The Kentucky Golf Association extends its thanks towards Chris Boysel, PGA Head Golf Professional and his staff at Kearney Hill for their assistance in making the tournament a success. The KGA will be back at Kearney Hill this fall for the inaugural Kentucky Amateur Diversity Championship which is open for registration through September 18^th. The next tournament on the KGA’s schedule is the second Am Series event of the season, which takes place next Monday, May 17 at Oxmoor Country Club. Spots for this tournament remain open, but sign-ups will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight.