CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Virginia Tech incoming freshman Emily Mathews captured the 25th Carolinas Women's Match Play Championship on Saturday at Cedarwood Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. The Mebane, N.C., native defeated Layla Meric of Wesley Chapel, N.C., 3&2.
The event began with 32 players, separated into foursomes to compete in group play. There were two rounds of group play on Wednesday, followed by the final round of group play on Thursday. After Thursday, the field was cut to eight players as the top player in each group play foursome advanced to bracket play beginning Friday. Mathews earned the highest amount of points possible in group play – one point in each round since she won all three of her matches. Her three total points gave her a spot in bracket play.
Quarterfinal matches were Friday morning, and Mathews was up against Maria Atwood of Holly Springs, N.C., to see who would advance to the semifinals in the afternoon. Mathews carded two birdies to start the round and go 2 up after two holes. She continued to make birdie putts and par saves to remain 2 up throughout a majority of the round. After a birdie on hole 15 to go 3 up, and tying hole 16 with a par to remain 3 up, Mathews earned herself a spot in the semifinals.
Heading into Friday afternoon, it was Ashleigh Mead of Bluffton, S.C., going head-to-head with Mathews in the semifinals. Mathews beat Mead 3&2, and again was up throughout the entire round. Mathews was 1 up through the first few holes, but then started dropping putts for birdies on holes 4, 5, 7, and even an eagle on hole 8 to be 3 up at the turn. Mathews and Mead bounced back and forth winning holes on the back nine, putting Mathews either 3 or 4 up. Tying hole 16 while Mathews was 3 up allowed her to win the match 3&2, and she was ready to advance to the championship match the next morning.
After the semifinals on Friday, Mathews said her game felt solid heading into the championship match. "My swing feels like it's in a really good place. I think if I trust my process and trust my ability and take it one shot at a time, I'll be good to go," Mathews said.
This is exactly what Mathews did on Saturday in the championship match. Mathews was competing against Meric for the title, and after Mathews made a birdie on the first hole to start the match 1 up, she retained the lead throughout the rest of the match. Even after about 100 holes of golf this week, Mathews was not losing steam as she carded six birdies in the championship match alone. Mathews was 2 up at the turn, and went 3 up after winning hole 13 with a birdie. Mathews stuck it out and tied the next three holes with Meric to ultimately take home the trophy.
With so much golf being played this week, Mathews said she stayed strong because "match play is super mental. I've gotten up early in my matches every time and it's so beneficial, because you get the momentum early and then just ride the wave and make sure you minimize mistakes and put pressure on when you can. Then it's just trusting your game and trusting your ability."
Mathews played a very impressive week of golf, never letting one of her opponents get up in a match throughout bracket play.
Emily's brother Nick played in the 14th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship also at Cedarwood Country Club on Wednesday and Thursday, and came out to support his sister in her matches on Friday and Saturday. Alongside him was their mom, walking each match and cheering her on as well. Mathews said "they show me endless support. Hearing my brother clap after my good shots is a great feeling. It's really nice to have them out here."
Mathews has had a great season this year, winning the 2023 Vicki DiSantis Junior Girls' Championship back in May, finishing second at the 2023 Carolinas Women's Amatuer in June, and she's now heading into her freshman year at Virginia Tech. She starts her season in just a couple weeks, and this win was a great way to end the summer season before she starts her first college golf season.
When asked what the win means to hear, Mathews said, "it feels amazing. It's always an honor to play in CGA events, and the win feels great. It's definitely a confidence boost heading into my first season at Virginia Tech."
