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38th Texas State Open at The Cascades

July 20, 2008

The Cascades

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      

Date:              July 20, 2008
Contact:         Quyen Phan
                     214-995-5123
 
 
PILLER WINS THE 38th TEXAS STATE OPEN AT THE CASCADES
 
TYLER, Texas – Martin Piller of Dallas, Texas proudly displayed his trophy and check for $25,000.00 after winning the 38th Texas State Open at The Cascades.  Piller, a former member of the Texas A&M golf team, was the low amateur for the Texas State Open the past two years but played as a professional for the first time this weekend. “There’s a difference between practice and competition. I was confident in my game, but there’s still the unknown factor,” he said.
 
With solid rounds of golf all weekend, Piller eagled the sixth and fourteenth holes during his final round to close with a final round 66 for a four round total 14-under par total of 266. “I didn’t look at the leaderboard until I got to the 18th green,” Piller said. “It’s a great feeling. It will sink in soon.” Piller was accompanied by his family and a large gallery as he walked down the fairway for his final shot of the day.
 
Trailing two shots behind Piller and tied for second were Dawie Van Der Walt of Beaumont, Texas and Shawn Stefani of Baytown, Texas with a 12-under 268. Van Der Walt, a South Africa native, turned professional only a year ago following his golf career at Lamar University. He currently plays on mini tours and in local qualifiers. Stefani maintained his hold on second place throughout the day and, along with Van Der Walt, will take home a check for $12,500.00.
 
Tied for fourth at 10-under par were Dallas’ Ryan Posey and Dustin Garza of Mission, Texas. Garza, the Championship low amateur, stayed under par the entire tournament. “I had a good time, but I do wish I could have given him a better chase.” Garza will play another two years of golf at Wichita State before he attempts to play professionally. “I’ll definitely come back next year,” he commented.
 
Kevin Schultz of Richardson, Texas shot the third hole-in-one for the tournament on hole 5. He aced the 165 yard par 3 using a 7 iron. Schultz recently graduated from the University of Texas and will turn professional following the upcoming United States Amateur Championship.
 
The 72-hole stroke play event consists of 156 contestants comprised of 27 amateurs and 129 professionals. 53 professionals and 9 amateurs survived the 143 (+3) cut after 36-holes. All four rounds are contested at The Cascades a 6,918 yard, par 70 layout located in Tyler, Texas. The total purse is $128,000.00 with $25,000.00 awarded to the Champion.
 
In addition, a $5.00 donation will be made to Birdies for Kids, the official charitable partner of the Texas State Open at The Cascades for every birdie and a $10.00 donation for every eagle made during play. Through the final round, a total of 1,296 birdies and 38 eagles were made totaling $6,860.00 in donations to Birdies for Kids. All proceeds will benefit the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation’s Golf in Schools program and Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
                                                                                                                                                                      
The 2008 Texas State Open at The Cascades is sponsored by Ashworth, KETK NBC 56, Park Cities Bank, Residence Inn by Marriott, Tyler Coca-Cola, and UST.
 
KETK NBC 56 provided live final round coverage from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
 
Please note: (a) denotes amateur.
 
Final round results follow below:
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