Page 43 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

WGA_Program_2018_V5__ 6/28/2018 3:42 PM Page 41

2017 WESTERN AMATEUR RECAP

The match went back and forth at the
beginning, with Xiong winning the first
and Redman taking the second. The
two didn’t halve a hole until they each
made par at No. 8. In all, 13 of the 22
were won outright. They both made
five birdies over the first 18 holes and
shot 2 under.
“There were massive swings,”
Redman said.

holes, and it didn’t seem to be too
Added Xiong: “We didn’t tie too many
one-sided. We didn’t give too many
[holes] away.”

After a successful freshman season
at Clemson in which he won two
tournaments as was selected the ACC
Freshman of the Year, Redman proved
he’s one of the best players in the
world with his showing at Skokie
Country Club. He tied for sixth in
2017 Western Amateur winner Norman Xiong with 2016–2017 WGA Chairman David Robinson.
medal play at 10 under.
“I played awesome in stroke play, Like Redman, Xiong enjoyed a strong What’s more, Redman and Xiong both
which was very encouraging,” he said. start to his college career. He won once, exhibited the sportsmanship the sport
“To hang tough and beat some very posted seven top 10s in 10 starts and prides itself on. Redman conceded
good players [in match play], then to earned the Phil Mickelson Award as Xiong’s four-foot putt for par on 18
come back from four down to Norman the top newcomer in college golf. because he said he didn’t want to win
says I’m right up there with the best Winning the Western Amateur raised on a possible Xiong miss. Prior to that,
of them.” his profile even more. Xiong gave Redman par putts on Nos.
16–17 that measured longer than
two feet.
Following six days at Skokie Country
Club and 145 holes of competition,
they each praised the tournament and
golf course, which Xiong called one
of the five best he’s played.

“Every day was a pleasure to play out
here,” he said.

Redman complimented the hospitality
displayed by the club and said the
strength of the field separates the
Western Amateur from other top-tier
tournaments.
“You can’t beat it,” he said.
Doc Redman and gallery at Skokie Country Club.

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Western Amateur Championship History 41