It was only fitting the championship match of the marathon known as the 2020 Nevada State Amateur Net Match Play event would go extra holes. In the end, Trevor Coss beat Jason Buckholz in 20 holes for the title. The tournament, played at Rio Secco Golf Club, featured a field of 32 golfers battling through two stroke-play qualifying rounds followed by three match-play win-or-go-home rounds. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.
For Coss, it was a victory that required not only shot-making skills but, more importantly, endurance over three days of non-stop golf in sizzling heat. And we do mean nonstop as Coss wound up playing 88 holes.
The tournament opened with 18-hole rounds on Friday and Saturday morning when the top eight players qualified for match play. Then came the three rounds of match-play of the event. The first round saw the No. 1 seed facing the No. 8 seed, etc. in Saturday’s third round late in the afternoon.
Those four winners then squared off in two morning matches on Sunday. Buckholz (beat Bryan Carlon 4-and-3) and Coss (beat James Kim, 1-up) won the semifinal matches to survive to play for the title.
The championship match was the only match to go extra holes. Match play tournaments can be grueling affairs and Coss can definitely attest to that after earning the prestigious victory.
“It was a grind, there’s no doubt about that,” Coss said. “And last night (Saturday) I wasn’t sure I would even be able to play. I woke up about 1:30 and my back and legs were cramping like crazy. I drank some water and went back to sleep. I got up this morning and I was OK and came out to the course.”
And he had a plan to stay hydrated.
“I made sure I drank a lot of Gatorade and water,” he said. “After yesterday, I made sure every two holes I drank a bottle. After yesterday it made a big difference.”
In the championship match, Buckholz went 1-up after the first hole. He moved that to 2-up on the 7th hole before Coss battled back. Coss won the 9th hole to get it back to 1-down.
“I was concerned when I went 2-down,” he said. “(Buckholz) is a really good player and wasn’t making any mistakes. I knew I needed to be 1-down heading to the last nine holes or I would be in trouble. I managed to win the ninth so I had a little momentum.”
Buckholz went back to 1-up after the 12th but Coss again squared things after the 13th. It was then Coss’ turn to lead as he won the 14th to go 1-up. Buckholz squared things on the 17th setting up a dramatic finish.
“I was 1-up with two to play, Coss said. “I had the feeling that if we went to 18 tied we’d be going extra holes and after he won 17 that’s what happened.”
Both players parred the 19th hole (No. 1) setting the stage for the finale.
“I had a stroke on No. 2,” Coss said. “We tied the hole with bogeys so I got the stroke and ended it.”
Coss, who’s a sales rep for P & R Paper Supply which sells supplies to restaurants and casinos, said the win built his confidence.
“This really solidifies my chance to play in the Cobb-Whalen,” he said. “Everything’s working out well right now.”
2020 Nevada State Net Amateur
Quarterfinals
Buckholz def. Young, 5-and-4
Carlon def. Golden, 3-and-2
Coss def. Gardner, 4-and-3
Kim def. Wolf, 6-and-4
Semifinals
Buckholz def. Carlon, 4-and-3
Coss def. Kim, 1-up
Championship
Coss def. Buckholz, 20 holes