Wes McNulty is once again the champion of the Arkansas Men’s Match Play. McNulty has now won the event a total of seven times across the span of four decades. 

McNulty came into the tournament as the defending champion and played a great weekend of golf to ensure he held onto his trophy. As a result of being the defending champion, McNulty didn’t play a qualifying round and was automatically given the number one seed in the match play bracket. 

McNulty won his first match of the weekend over 32-seed Ethan Loafman 5 & 4 before squaring off against 2018 champion Miles Smith. This would turn out to be one of the best matches of the weekend as McNulty defeated Smith in 19 holes to move on to the Quarterfinals. Saturday was a breeze for McNulty as he beat both of his opponents 5 & 4 to move onto the final match of the weekend on Sunday morning. McNulty would be matched up against Cameron McRae. McRae defeated McNulty’s son Josh, to advance to the Semifinals. The final match of the weekend would not disappoint as the match was tight from the beginning. McRae took the lead on the first hole after McNulty’s par putt went halfway down and popped out of the hole. McNulty would respond with a birdie on the third hole and even the match. The match would remain even for much of the front nine until McNulty won holes eight and nine to go 2 Up in the match. McNulty would continue to add to his lead and would be 4 Up through the first 12 holes. However, McRae continued to fight and would win both 13 and 14 and cut McNulty’s lead back down to 2 Up. McRae would then put the pressure on McNulty as he was down by just one hole heading into the short par four 17th. The experience would shine for McNulty on the 17th hole, as he drove the green and two-putted for birdie to win the match 2 & 1and reclaim his title. McNulty has had an incredible run in this event winning in four different decades. After the match he talked about how he has been so consistent with putting himself in position to win year after year. 

“I've had a lot of luck. I have been fortunate to play well at the right time and Cam played great today and we had a great match. I was just fortunate to make a putt at the right time and that was the only difference in that match today.” McNulty said. 

The win at Chamberlyne Country Club gave McNulty his 7th State Match Play title to go along with his six State Amateur Stroke Play titles. 

Congratulations to our other divsion champions as well!

Masters - Bill Wrentz

Super Senior - Bob Brooks

Senior - Gordy McKeown

Mid-Am - Stan Payne