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Haas puts up fight before late falter in semis
By Margaret McKenzie
Old Gold and Black Reporter

Like father, like son. Demon Deacon golfer, junior Bill Haas entered the national scene in style as he swung his way into the semi-finals in the US Amateur the morning of Aug. 24. Haas entered the semi-final match play round facing the volatile Arizona standout Ricky Barnes.

Barnes had spent the week of qualifying making a name for himself not only for his clutch shots, but also his emotional outburst on the course.

Play was tight throughout the 18-hole course with neither golfer establishing a substantial lead. Barnes took the initial momentum, holding a 2-up advantage after the fourth hole, but Haas fought back, bringing the match to all square on the 16th.

After Barnes hit his approach shot over the green Haas almost holed his on the fly from from 154 yards out. Barnes flubbed a chip and pitched his fourth shot near the hole. He would concede the hole to Haas and the match stood square.

The drama rose on the 17th hole when Haas hit his tee shot over the green on the par-3. Barnes stuck his shot to 20 feet but 2-putted for par. After chipping to about 30 feet Haas made the long par save to keep the match even.

The 18th hole would prove to be Haas’ demise. He found the right rough and Barnes hit his into the deep grass on the left.

Barnes could only manage to muscle his approach to the greenside bunker and Haas decided to play safe and pitch his ball out. He then hit a poor wedge that spun back off the green while Barnes stuck a tremendous shot to about four feet. Needing to chip in or put it close, Haas chunked his chip and conceded the match.

Barnes went on to the finals where he defeated Hunter Mahon in a 36-hole match play competition.

Despite the frustrating loss to Barnes in the semi-finals, Haas made quite a name for himself and carried on the legacy of Demon Deacon golfers.

In the first round Haas had a commanding lead over Purdue’s Lee Willamson going into the 10th hole, but Willamson won three holes to take the lead before Haas eventually won the match 1-up on the final hole.

Breezing through the second round, Haas lost the first hole to Greg Kennedy, a 33-year-old amateur before he found a rhythm and took care of business.

In the third round Haas held off ACC rival D.J. Trahan of Clemson to advance to the final eight. Texas alumni John Kulak was Haas’ next victim.

Haas, who had played brilliantly all week, recorded seven birdies on the front nine to put the match out of reach. He won by 5-up, his largest margin of victory during the tournament.

The junior standout returns to the Demon Deacons this season ready to help lead the team in its quest for conference and national titles.