LAS VEGAS, NV (Aug. 6, 2025)–Ian Fritz, who represents Southern Nevada, started quickly and never looked back in winning the 36-hole finale of the 2025 Nevada State Match Play tournament. Fritz beat Raymond Kim 5&4. The tournament was held Aug. 3-6, 2025, at Red Rock Country Club.—by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Fritz ended the first 18 holes of the title match with a win on the final hole to go two-up and then won three of the first five holes of the second 18 holes to take control.
It was the first state title for Fritz who played high school golf at Coronado High School and will be a senior at University of the Pacific this fall.
“This feels great,” Fritz said. “The past two weeks at the Southern Nevada Amateur and the Nevada State Amateur I was second so it was nice to finally get in the win column.”
He said he’s seen improvement in his game over the summer.
“I’ve been knocking on the door of a win for awhile,” Fritz said. “I’ve been playing good golf and to get that win really helps the confidence.”
Fritz said his play was stellar the whole tournament.
“I’ve been driving it well and I hit a lot of fairways and greens,” he said. “I put a lot of pressure on my opponents and just kept playing solid golf.”
In the title match, Fritz said the good golf started from the first hole.
“It was nice to get a couple of early wins and be able to settle down and just play my game,” he said. “It’s great to be able to win against great competitors.”
Fritz had it in cruise control in the finale and at one point was 8-up.
“Raymond made a birdie on the 11th of the second 18 and the next two holes I didn’t get up and down so he won those two,” he said. “I had two good putts that just didn’t end up dropping.”
He closed out the match with a par on the 14th hole.
“I had about 10 feet for birdie and just missed the putt,” he said. “But in the end, par was good enough to win.”
He added that Kim’s effort was impressive.
“Raymond just kept fighting back,” Fritz said. “He still had a lot of spark and kept it going. His back was against the wall but he never gave up.”
Next up for Fritz is on to his senior season and then…well, he’s already got a game plan.
“I’m hoping to work my way up to the PGA Tour,” he said. “And a win like this boosts my confidence and lets me know my game and mindset are on the right track.”
2025 Nevada State Match Play
Quarterfinals
RJ Arone def. Matt Mitchell, 5&4
Ian Fritz def. Avery Lazarski, 4&3
Phillip Reedy def. Richard Yoo, 5&4
Raymond Kim def. Scott Lytle, 4&3
Semifinals
Fritz def. Arone, 2&1
Kim def. Reedy, 4&3
Final
Fritz def. Kim, 5&4