Brandon Crick claims state match play championship

Courtesy McCook's Brandon Crick displays the first-place trophy for winning the Nebraska State Match Play Championship.

NEBRASKA CITY -- McCook's Brandon Crick won the Nebrasak state match play championship Saturday at ArborLinks, defeating Josh Reinertson of Gibbon 5 and 4 in the tournament's 36-hole final Friday.

Crick, who transferred to the University of Nebraska from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., also won the Nebraska Amateur last July.

The Match Play Tournament victory now gives Crick both the state's major amateur crowns.

Courtesy Tyler Lawson, right, a Nebraska Wesleyan golf standout from McCook, was Crick's caddy for the semifinal and final rounds. Crick parred the 32nd hole to win the title. Crick and Lawson helped McCook High win two state championships.

Crick never trailed. He parred the first and third holes eventually taking a 4 up lead following an eagle on the par 5 16th hole.

Reinertson trimmed the deficit to two by winning holes 20 and 21 early in the afternoon session, but Crick quickly answered winning three of the next five holes to boost his lead to 5 up. The match ended when the two golfers halved the 202 yard 14th hole with pars.

In the semifinals, Crick defeated Lincoln's Ben Tewes 2 and 1 and Reinertson defeated Lincoln's David Easley 1 up.

Tyler Lawson, a Nebraska Wesleyan golf standout from McCook, was Crick's caddy for the semifinal and final rounds. Crick parred the 32nd hole to win the title.

Crick and Lawson helped McCook Senior High School win two state championships.