Stratford’s Matthew Riedel wins the Class 6A boys state golf tournament.
GEORGETOWN — Stratford junior Matthew Riedel built on a strong first day to win the individual title at the UIL Class 6A boys state golf tournament Tuesday.
Riedel, who made a flurry of clutch birdies in the final round, finished 9-under 135 at Legacy Hills.
Riedel opened the final round in second place, one shot behind Austin Westlake’s J. Holland Humphries. But he made quick work of the deficit with a string of big shots and got “some revenge” on the golf course.
Plano’s Tommy Boone and Austin Westlake’s Matthew Denton tried for second at 137. Clear Springs’ Andre Jacobs tied for fourth at 139.
“I knew I was one shot back. There were a lot of good guys behind me and one really good one in front of me,” said Riedel, who shot a 67 Tuesday. “I was 1-over through six. I made birdies on Nos. 7 and 8, made an eagle on 10, and another birdie on 15. The hole became a lot bigger, and I was really confident. I made the putts I needed to make.”
Riedel said his eighth-place finish at last year’s state tournament motivated him.
“I had a triple-bogey on 17 on the second day last year, or I would have finished second. I kind of wanted some revenge on this course,” Riedel said with a smile.
Stratford coach Ryan Cozad couldn’t stop smiling. Not only did his top golfer win the state title, but the Mustangs had a total score of 598 and tied for seventh.
“I’m just thrilled for Matthew Riedel. He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever met. He absolutely sets the tone for us,” Cozad said. “It’s exciting for me to see him be successful on this stage because not many people get to see how hard he works behind the scenes to be the best he can be. He spent hours and hours preparing for this.
“We only have one senior. Four of the five are returning. I’m definitely excited about the direction we’re going.”
Memorial finished in third place with a total score of 582. Memorial would have forced a playoff with Austin Vandergrift for second place, but Vanderbiltbound junior William Moll’s putt at 18 lipped out.
Westlake won the team title with a total score of 573, eight strokes better than Vandergrift and nine strokes ahead of Memorial.
“I hit a good shot. I thought it was going in,” said Moll, who finished sixth in state with a score of 140 after placing second last year. “I was a little nervous. I have to try to stay calm in pressure situations and act like it’s just another putt.”
Said Memorial coach John Noel: “…Definitely, William is the one I would have picked to take that shot., He was runnerup in the state last year. He’s a heck of a player.”
Clear Springs was fifth in the final team standings with a total score of 592, followed by Kingwood (594) in sixth place. Atascocita finished 11th (607).