Robert Mize
MACON, Ga. - Robert Mize of Columbus fired a final-round 3-under-
par 67 to take the lead and the victory at the Georgia Amateur
Championship. Mize finished at 5-under-par 275 (69-72-67-67)
overall, four strokes ahead of four players at 1-under-par 279. The
93rd playing of the annual state championship took place at Idle
Hour Club, July 10-13.
Only a handful of players finished in red numbers, the champion
Mize at 5-under, and four others who tied for runner-up honors at
1-under, including Will Chandler of Atlanta (68-74-69-68), Carter
Collins of Statesboro (70-69-70-70), 18-hole leader Trey Rule of
Eatonton (65-74-69-71) and 36-hole leader Kelby Burton of Evans
(70-66-71-72).
"This is huge. Growing up in Columbus and with Carter Mize
winning; it's huge," said Mize on claiming his first state
championship. "It is always a tournament I look forward to playing
in. It was cool to see Jimmy Beck win it last year; he's a good
friend of mine. That gave me some motivation and confidence that
I could do it."
Mize's final-round scorecard saw birdies on three, seven, eight,
nine, 10 and 14. The only hiccup on the day came on the 466-yard
par 4 17th hole, where he made a triple. His 275 total score marks
the best at the Georgia Amateur Championship since the 2011
competition when David Noll, Jr., of Dalton won with a 274 score.
"I was fortunate enough to make a few up-and-downs. I made a
few birdies," he added.
Mize, a native of Columbus, graduated from Brookstone High School
where he won an individual state championship in 2011. He also
helped bring in two team titles in 2010 and 2011. He now plays golf
at Columbus State University in his hometown, where he will begin
his junior campaign this fall. He is the son of legendary Georgia
professional Larry Mize, who won the 1987 Masters Tournament.
Three players finished in a tie for sixth at even-par 280, including
Brad Davis of Lawrenceville (69-70-71-70), Matt Mierzejewski of
Suwanee (69-70-69-72) and third-round leader Stan Gann, Jr., of
Bonaire (71-67-66-76). Sepp Straka of Valdosta came in ninth at
1-over-par 281 (70-75-66-70). Reigning Georgia Junior champion
Charles Huntzinger of Duluth (69-72-73-69) and Jacob Joiner of
Albany (73-71-67-72) tied for tenth at 3-over-par 283, rounding
out the overall top 10.
Bill Brown III of Dublin, who won the Georgia Amateur Championship
in 2006 at Coosa Country Club in Rome, finished tied for 56th at
18-over-par 298 (74-73-72-79). Two-time Georgia Amateur
winner, Noll, earned his first state championship in 2003 at Pinetree
Country Club in Kennesaw, and second in 2011 at Cherokee Town
and Country Club in Atlanta. John Walker IV of Macon, this year's
Idle Hour club champion, finished in a seven-way tie for 34th at
12-over-par 292 (73-68-74-77).
Shot of the tournament went to Jamie Weeks of Marietta, who
recorded a hole-in-one on the 177-yard par 3 eighth hole with a 6-
iron during Thursday's opening round.
After 36-holes of play, 77 players made the cut at 8-over-par 148
and better. Of those players who advanced to the weekend, nine
had 36-hole scores in red numbers. Of those nine, only Fisk scored
in the 60's each of the first two rounds.
The Georgia Amateur Championship is conducted by the Georgia
State Golf Association and brings together 144 of the state's best
male amateur golfers for the prestigious state title first won by 14-
year-old Bobby Jones in 1916. Idle Hour Club has now hosted this
event for the record eighth time. This week Idle Hour played to
6,727 yards and a par 70.
The Championship format was 72 holes of stroke play over four
days. After 36 holes of play, the field was cut to the low 70
players and ties and anyone within 10 strokes of the leader.
View results for Georgia Amateur
ABOUT THE Georgia Amateur
A field of 144 of the state's best will compete
over 72 holes of stroke play with the field cut to
the low 70 and ties after 36 holes.
Open to male amateur golfers; non-exempt
players enter
through one of 11 statewide qualifiers
View Complete Tournament Information