Christopher Harpum (Championship Division) is heading into the semifinals tomorrow.

LEXINGTON, KY (August 7, 2025) – The 14th Clark’s Pump‑N‑Shop Kentucky Men’s Match Play Championship at Kearney Hill Golf Links began with a mix of thrilling golf, strong competition, and unpredictable weather. What began as a sunny morning soon took a turn as a rain delay interrupted the action, yet the determination and focus from the competitors remained unwavering as they battled through the elements. As the sun returned and the rain subsided, the stage was set for tomorrow’s exciting semifinal showdowns in all three divisions: Championship, Senior, and Masters.

Masters Division

The Masters Division kicked off bright and early with a 7:30 a.m. start time, but it didn’t take long for the competitors to bring the intensity. The quarterfinals saw hard-fought battles, with each match coming down to key moments and crucial shots.

Scott Pottinger, the No. 1 seed, was in a battle with Chris Hill (8), but Pottinger’s steady play earned him a 2-up victory in a contest that kept fans on edge until the very end. In a similar contest, Christopher Chee (5) came out victorious over Blane Embry (4), edging him out with a 2-up win. The real test for Chee came when he squared off against Pottinger in a tense semifinal matchup, where every shot counted. Chee, who was down on the previous hole, found himself in a tough spot with Pottinger. But it was Chee’s resolve that pulled him through."I was most proud of my shot on 14," Chee shared after his victory. "I had just lost the previous hole, and Scott was in a great position to get on. I was in a bad position, but I hit a good wedge and made the putt, then got back to three up."

While Chee was battling Pottinger, David Combs (3) had his own challenges ahead. After a dominant performance over Scott Caldarelli (6), Combs met Greg Engle (7) in the semifinals. The two were neck and neck, making par after par, with Engle sinking a clutch 5-foot putt on hole 4, only for Combs to follow with a 4-foot putt of his own. It was a seesaw battle, but in the end, it was Combs who came out on top with a 1-up victory on hole 16. David Combs reflected on the highlights of his last match of the day, “I made birdie on hole 10, then played really good the rest of the round. But I got to 14 and made some mistakes, then Greg gave me hole 16, which got me one up. I just hung on 'til the end.”

The final matchup in the Masters Division was now set: Christopher Chee versus David Combs. Their showdown promises to be an exciting contest as they aim to claim the prestigious Masters title.

Senior Division

In the Senior Division, the players had to endure more than just their opponents—they had to contend with challenging weather conditions, including a rain delay. Yet, despite the elements, the grit and determination on display were unmatched. The competitors pushed through the discomfort of the weather, making clutch shots and key putts when it mattered most.

G. Davis Boland (1) squared off against Trae Joyce (16) in a match that lasted a grueling 19 holes, with Boland ultimately emerging victorious. Meanwhile, Tom Campbell (9) dispatched PJ McDougal (8) 4 & 2, and then faced off against Boland. In a battle of wills, Boland’s precision came through, and he defeated Campbell with eight birdies to secure his spot in the next round. After finishing his last match of the day, Boland said, “The course conditions were tough, but we all had to play in them. You just have to focus on the task at hand and stay in the moment.”

Further down the bracket, Bryan Baysinger (5) battled through two strong performances, defeating Michael Crabtree (12) 4 & 3 and then Scott Ray (4) in another tense match, ultimately winning 2 & 1. Baysinger, who faced off against Boland last year in the final, looks set for a rematch that will no doubt be one of the most anticipated battles tomorrow. Baysinger remarked after his victory, “I hit the ball solid all day, but after the rain delay, the course felt like a completely different place. It was a real test of focus.” 

In other notable matches, Rodney Chancey (7) crushed David Horning (10) 7 & 5 and then bested Bryan Conway (2) 2 & 1 to secure his spot in the semifinals. David Reid (3) also had a strong performance, defeating Shannon Hill (6) 3 & 1. The Senior Division now has two thrilling semifinal matchups: David Reid will face Rodney Chancey, while G. Davis Boland will square off with Bryan Baysinger.

Championship Division

The Championship Division brought out some of the top talent of the day, as strong competitors vied for a place in tomorrow’s semifinals. The day started strong with Denver Haddix (1) overcoming Charlie Spiller (16) 2 & 1. Ben Kendrick (8), meanwhile, was in top form, beating Todd McDaniel (9) 5 & 4 and then going on to defeat Haddix 2 & 1 in their semifinal matchup. After winning his match against McDaniel and Haddix, Ben Kendrick spoke about his rounds. “I made a couple of good putts today and really hit the ball well off the tee and with my approach shots,” Kendrick said. “It’s about getting those putts to drop, and today, they did.”

In the other bracket, Christopher Harpum (4) comfortably won 5 & 3 against Kevin Waldie (13), and then overcame Evan Cox (12) 1-up. Cox, who had been playing strongly all day, fought back, but it was Harpum who closed out the match in a thrilling finish. Meanwhile, Joshua Rhodes (10) took down Luke Watson (7) 4 & 3 and will now face Eric Fuldner (15), who claimed a 3 & 2 win over Hayden Adams (5).

With the Championship Division semifinals set, Ben Kendrick will face Christopher Harpum, while Joshua Rhodes will meet Evan Cox for the chance to claim a spot in the final.

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About the KGA:

The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is the official governing body for amateur golf in the Commonwealth, as recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Established in 1911, the KGA is a full-service organization representing more than 120 member golf courses across Kentucky.

Led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of course representatives from throughout the state, the KGA plays a vital role in promoting, supporting, and growing the game of golf in Kentucky. It is also a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.

As an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, the KGA is responsible for a wide range of services, including managing the World Handicap System, conducting course ratings, providing expertise on the Rules of Golf, running competitive tournaments and USGA qualifiers, and enhancing the visibility and branding of golf throughout the Commonwealth.