Giles vs. Grace

The only Quarterfinal match that finished 18 holes today was Giles and Pallin. Grace and Bemowski's match was decided on the 17th green with a 3&2 victory for Grace,61.

The 17th green decided a lot in today's matches- Giles needed to sink a 15 foot putt to keep from going All Square into 18 with Pallin, a challenge that he conquered beautifully. Heading to the tee box on 18 Giles and Pallin saw the group behind them head into the clubhouse, I can only imagine the thoughts going through their head.... Quickly refocusing on the hole ahead, that would determine their fate, Giles and Pallin teed off both placing their shots to the right at the turn of the dogleg. Both of their second shots starred into the tree line on the right side of the fairway and made the anticipation of their second shot nail biting.

Giles, a considerable distance behind the 56 yr old Pallin, hit his second shot, clipping tree branches landing 115-120 yards from the green in the middle of the fairway. Wow!!!
Pallin, clipping the tree branches as well, lands to the left of the fairway in the rough about 105 yards from the green. Giles with considerable advantage.

Third Shot: Giles places the ball below the pin about 20 feet. Pallin place the ball off the back of the green in the second cut.

Putts and fourth shot: Giles putts putting it inches from the hole close enough that Pallin gives him the putt. Giles is in for a 5.
Pallin: in the rough stuff tries to baby it onto the green not even making it past the fringe and he concedes the hole and Giles has his 6th match play victory and moves onto the final round with Grace.

Giles, coincidentally enough, has defeated all match play opponents with one thing in common, their age. Each player that Giles has competed against in the match play rounds has been 10 years his junior and he has prevailed like a champ.

Tomorrow is sure to be a historic day for the USGA, Grace and Giles and I hope that all of you can come out to witness golf at its finest.

Ashley Whitten