Event: 16th North Carolinas Men’s Amateur Match Play Championship

Host Site: Rock Barn Country Club and Spa

Playing Dates: July 30-August 2, 2025

Social Media: @CGAgolf1909 Related: Championship Website | Scoring | Photos

By Mae O'Neill, CGA Media Intern

CONOVER, N.C. (Aug. 4, 2025) — After four days of fierce competition at the 16th North Carolina Men’s Amateur Match Play Championship, Connor Warren of Spruce Pine, N.C. claimed a victory at Rock Barn Country Club, clinching the title in a dramatic 19-hole final match against Joe Kastelic of Hickory, N.C.. Warren, a standout golfer and rising sophomore at UNC Charlotte, secured the championship with a clutch birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole.

The championship unfolded over four days of intense match play at the Jones Course of Rock Barn Country Club and Spa in Conover, N.C. The event opened with a unique group (or pod) match play format, where 64 players were divided into 16 pods of 4. Each player competed in three matches within their pod, one round against each of their 3 pod-mates, and only the player with the best record advanced to the single-elimination bracket. This format, borrowed from professional match play tournaments, emphasizes head-to-head consistency and creates high-stakes scenarios from day one.

Following three rounds of pod play on Wednesday and Thursday, the field narrowed to 16 players for the single-elimination rounds. Friday saw the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals, with four players advancing to the semifinals: Daniel Boone (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.), Warren, Michael Childress (Salisbury, N.C.), and Kastelic. Saturday morning’s semifinal matches set up a compelling final between Warren and Kastelic, after Warren defeated his UNC Charlotte teammate Boone, and Kastelic edged past Childress on the 18th hole.

In the championship match, Warren and Kastelic traded blows throughout, with neither gaining more than a 2-up lead. Tied, after the 13th hole, the match remained square through the 18th green to force extra holes, but it was Warren who sealed the win with a birdie on the 19th hole, earning his second CGA individual title. His other title win was also a match play, as he won the Dogwood State Jr. Boys in 2022.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the staff and membership of Rock Barn Country Club and Spa. Special thanks to Director of Golf Marshal Robinson, Head Golf Professional Abby Hartsell, Superintendent John Robertson, and General Manager Brad Ellinger. Another special thanks to the entire grounds and maintenance crew and staff for helping with course marking and course cleanup after many storms throughout the week, and to all of membership at Rock Barn Country Club and Spa for helping host the 16th North Carolinas Amateur Match Play Championship.