Final Player of the Year Standings
Matthews takes William C. Fownes, Jr. POY honors
PAGA President King Knox presents Brandon Matthews with the Runner-Up crystal at The Sigel
Brandon Matthews, of Dupont, Pa., earned his first W.C. Fownes, Jr. Amateur Player of the Year award with his stellar play during the 2013 season. Matthews also won the Golf Association of Philadelphia William Hyndman, III Player of the Year award for the first time in 2013.
“I’m so thankful for having the opportunity to have these great experiences at such a young age,” Matthews said. “It’s amazing. Hitting balls next to the best players in the world, or teeing it up and competing against some of the future best players in the world is about as good as it gets.“
“The venues for the PAGA events are absolutely outstanding. The places we are lucky enough to play are always in perfect condition and the way we get treated by them is second to none. I’m very lucky to be a part of the PAGA and to play in such great tournaments at such amazing facilities. I look forward to the Amateur at Oakmont Country Club next year.”
Matthews earned points in each 2013 PAGA event in which he competed. Starting in the Better-Ball at Sunnehanna Country Club, he partnered with Nelson Hargrove of Merion Golf Club and the duo claimed third place. On the national scene, he progressed through local qualifying to U.S. Open sectional qualifying, where a chip-in and 15 minutes of fame (so far) earned him an alternate spot for the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club. Matthews followed that up with strong runner-up performances in both the R. Jay Sigel Match Play Championship at Huntingdon Valley Country Club and the 100th Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club. He wasn’t done yet. A quarterfinal run in the U.S. Amateur at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. would seal the deal for POY honors by 145 points over Nathan Smith.
“Playing with four-time U.S. Mid-Am champion Nathan Smith in the finals of The Sigel was certainly a highlight,” Matthews said. “I wish I would have had a little more of my game that day to give Nate a better run, but that’s just the game of golf. The U.S. Amateur was great. Every tournament I go to, I’m there to win. To be two wins short of qualifying for The Masters is tough to get over at the end of the day. Luckily, next year I’ll get another chance and I won’t have to go through qualifying for the U.S. Amateur.”
Matthews is continuing his career year with a strong sophomore campaign at Temple, where he has been medalist on four occasions thus far. He holds his coach, Brian Quinn, in high regard when it comes to the progression of his game. The future is certainly bright for Brandon Matthews.
What’s in the Bag?
Driver – TaylorMade SLDRwith Motore tour spec 7.2 shaft
3-Wood – TaylorMade RBZ stage 2 with Graphite Design di7x shaft
2-Iron – TaylorMade Rocketbladez Tour with KBS x shaft
Irons – (3-PW) TaylorMade MB with KBS x shaft
Wedges – TaylorMade ATV
Putter – TaylorMade Ghost Tour Sebring
Ball – TaylorMade Lethal