WOODBURN, ORE. (Sunday, June 4, 2006) – Threats of rain and gusting winds affected scoring as only five players were able to shoot even par or better compared with twenty-five who were able to accomplish that task in the first round of the Mid-Amateur Championship at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Ore.
In the end, as the only golfer to play both rounds under par, it was the experience of course record holder Denny Taylor, 53, of Gladstone, Ore. (Arrowhead CC) who was able to capture the Mid-Am crown by two strokes at 69-70—139 despite a double-bogey on the 16th hole. Taylor holds the course record at 11-under par 61.
First round leader Jim Dunlap of Tigard, Ore. (Pumpkin Ridge – Witch Hollow) saw his narrow 1-stroke lead quickly fade shooting 2-over par for the day and finishing with 67-74—141, good for a four-way tie for runner-up. He is joined by Jeff Nielson of Gresham, Ore. (Persimmon CC), Erik Myrmo of Eugene, Ore. (Eugene CC) and Brandon Kearney of Bend, Ore. (Bend G & CC).
One of the highlights of the day was a hole-in-one by Scott Pierce of Hillsboro, Ore. (Heron Lakes GC) who aced the par-3 185-yar 6th hole with a 3-iron into the wind.
Kearney is hoping to fair better tomorrow at the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier tomorrow at Emerald Valley GC in Creswell, Ore. Kearney earned his opportunity with medalist honors at Local Qualifying last month and hopes to advance to the U.S. Open at Winged Foot CC in Mamaroneck, N.Y., June 15-18, 2006 He will be taking on a number of notables vying for one spot including NCAA Men’s Division I champion Jonathon Moore of Vancouver, Wash. (Royal Oaks CC), 2003 NCAA Mens Division I champion Alejandro Canizares of Spain, reigning U.S. Amateur Public Links champion Clay Ogden of Provo, UT and Alex Prugh of Spokane, Wash. who defeated Ogden at last year’s Pacific Coast Amateur.
In the Women’s Division, first round leader Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore. (Waverley CC) could not hold off Elizabeth Regan of Molalla, Ore. Regan had the low round of the day shooting a 36-hole total of 7-over par 76-75—151.
Finishing in a tie for second along with Tennant was 2004 Senior Women’s Stroke Play Champion Jan Young of Portland, Ore. (Rock Creek CC). Defending champion Dr. Mary Budke of Eugene, Ore. (Shadow Hills CC) finished 9-strokes back in eighth place.
The competition, open to amateur golfers age 25 and over is a 36-hole stroke play competition. Entries in the Men's Division are limited to golfers with USGA Handicap Indexes of 10.0 and less. Entries in the Women's Division are limited to golfers who were female at birth with USGA Handicap Indexes of 22.4 and less.
For complete results, click on the tournament link above.
ABOUT THE Oregon Mid-Amateur
ELIGIBILITY
WOMEN: Entries are open to female amateur golfers
with USGA Handicap Indexes™
of 22.4 or less. The field will be limited to the 21
entrants with the lowest USGA
Handicap Indexes at the entry deadline. In the event
that the Women’s Division does
not reach its field limit, the remaining spots will be
transferred to the Men’s Division.
MEN: Entries are open to amateur golfers with USGA
Handicap Indexes™ of 10.0
or less. The final Championship field will include
exempt players as well as those that
advance from the additional 18-hole stroke play
qualifying stage.
All contestants must be members in good standing
of
an OGA Member Club and be at
least 25 years of age.
36-hole stroke play competition. Prize awards will be
made on the basis of gross finish.
View Complete Tournament Information