By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Nick Mathews of Mebane launched his professional career on the PGA Tour Americas with a couple of tournament entries this month in Canada.
In his first tournament, he posted rounds of 68 and 72 for 2-under 140, but didn’t make the cut in the Explore NB Open at Mactaquac Golf Course in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Then Mathews, an Eastern Alamance alum, shot under-par scores again in Golf Chateau-Bromont at Bromont, Quebec, in his next tournament. He recorded a pair of 1-under-par 69s, but missed the cut at 2 under (when 5 under was needed to advance). His second-round score included birdies on his last three holes.
Upon finishing his collegiate career this year for North Carolina State, Mathews, 23, received a membership into the PGA Tour Americas for the rest of the 2025 season.
Siblings receive ACC honors
Mathews and his younger sister Emily Mathews, who completed her sophomore season for Virginia Tech, were listed on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic teams.
Emily Mathews made the All-ACC academic list for the second year in a row. She’s a sports media and analytics major.
Also, Emily Matthews shot 4-over-par 75 in a U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier this spring at Country Club of Salisbury. Three golfers advanced at 1 under or better.
Nick Mathews was named to the All-ACC academic men’s golf team for the second time. He graduated in May with a degree in business administration.
Area golfers compete in Carolinas Amateur
Former Elon University golfer Garrett Risner of Holly Springs tied for fifth place at 9-under-par 279 in last week’s Carolinas Amateur at Pinehurst No. 7.
Mebane’s Caden Baker, who plays college golf for Charlotte, was in a three-way tie for 19th place at 3 under.
Chandler Mulkey of Johns Island, South Carolina, was the champion with 14-under 274, one stroke better than Davis Womble of Winston-Salem.
Alamance Christian School golfer Holden Yakola of Mebane missed the cut at 11 over after rounds of 74 and 81.
Last week, Yakola and his father, Scott Yakola, finished tied for 37th place in the 58th Carolinas Father-Son Championship at Southern Pines Golf Club. They shot 6-over 77. The winning team was Scott Newton and son Grady Newton of Wallburg with 67.
Elon pair qualifies for U.S. Amateur
Risner and college teammate Jack Wieler are going to the U.S. Amateur, which will be held August 11-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Risner, who was a senior on the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association championship team, and Wieler, a rising junior, shot 4-under 68s to tie for fifth place in the U.S. Amateur final qualifying event July 14 at Eagles Point Golf Club in Wilmington.
Jackson Herrington of Dickson, Tennessee, was the site’s top qualifier with 65.
