Semifinals are set for KC Match Play

A two-time past champion of the Kansas City Match Play Championship will try to add another title today at Swope Memorial Golf Course, while three golfers will be trying to win the crown for the first time.

Steve Groom, who won the title in 1998 and 2013, advanced to today’s semifinals along with Ryne Fisher, Hank Simpson and Alex Springer.

Groom was tested by Nick Arman before winning 2-up in the round of 16, and he cruised past Jeff Mason 6 and 5 in the quarterfinals.

Groom had a 4-up lead on Arman through 12 holes, but Arman got back in the match by winning three holes and tying two others. Groom secured the victory by winning No. 18 with a 3.

In his quarterfinal match, Groom extended his lead to 6-up by winning the Nos. 10 and 11 and then advanced by tying the next two holes.

Fisher also had one decisive victory, beating Chris Reinert 6 and 4 in his first match of the day. He then beat Joseph Winslow 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals.

Springer beat Matt Kelley 3 and 1 and Ed Brown 4 and 3, while Simpson beat Dave Cunningham 3 and 2 and Josh Weems 1-up.

The semifinals are set to begin at 7:30 this morning, matching Groom against Fisher and Simpson against Springer.

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Semifinals are set for KC Match Play."