In his days as a junior golf standout, few Washington-area players could match the resume of Kensington’s Greg Carlin. But none had his rare combination of gifts — his powerful, balanced swing; his flair for recovery; his creativity; and his angular golf build.
Earlier this month at the Members Club at Four Streams, Carlin fused all his talents in winning one of the area’s most prestigious events, the 88th Washington Metropolitan Golf Association Amateur. Carlin’s 8 and 7 victory over Trey Treadwell, in the 36-hole final round, was a fitting conclusion to a tournament the University of Virginia senior dominated.
“I love match play,” said Carlin, a member at Columbia Country Club. “You want to make birdies on every hole basically. You don’t think about the hole before. You don’t think about the hole after. You stare the other guy in the face and you go out and beat him.”
To get to the finals, Carlin defeated Joe Alvarez (Argyle), 2 up; Stewart Cherner (Woodmont), 7 and 6; Joe Scheffres (Woodmont), 4 and 3; and Ryan Wielgus (Avenel), 6 and 5. In a tournament that’s typically an endurance test — seven rounds in four days in the August heat — Carlin made quick work of his opponents.
“I kind of made everything I looked at,” said Carlin. “I played very aggressively. I’m starting to think that’s the way I should approach every tournament.”
In the victory over Treadwell, a former player at the Air Force Academy, Carlin made 11 birdies on 29 holes. At No. 2, Carlin hit an 8-iron to within 15 feet and made the birdie putt to go 2 up. At No. 5, Carlin hit a 6-iron to within eight feet and made another birdie to go 3 up. And so it went. After seven holes, Carlin had a 5-up lead.
Carlin began the second 18 in similar fashion, making five birdies on the first six holes. After a spectacular chip shot from deep rough at No. 6, Carlin rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt to take a 7-up lead.
“I played well for three days and beat some real good players,” said Carlin. “But I feel like it’s time for me to start winning some bigger amateur events.”
Last year at Virginia, Carlin was the only player who traveled to all of the Cavaliers’ road matches. He placed second in the Cavalier Classic, his best finish as a collegian. After graduation next spring, Carlin will make a run at professional golf. He doesn’t need to look far for inspiration. Former Virginia players James Driscoll and Steve Marino have had success on the PGA Tour. Carlin knows it will take time.
“I’ve got a long way to go,” said Carlin. “You need to love it a ton, grinding it out on those mini-tours. I think I have what it takes. It’s a matter of working hard and being confident. You need to think no one can beat you.”
AMATEURISH
» Columbia Country Club has produced 16 WMGA Amateur champions, more than any other club.
» Bobby Brownell (Chevy Chase Club) won a record 11 WMGA Amateurs, including 10 straight (1946-55).
» Since Brownell’s historic run, Kirk Lombardi (1995-96) of Gaithersburg has been the lone repeat champion.
