YESTERDAY'S STORY

Opening rounds of the SCGA Mid-Amateur were contested Monday at Santa Ana Country Club, with the top 40 players and ties qualifying for Tuesday's final round. Former UC-Santa Barbara golfer Michael Feuerstein carded even-par 72 in his morning round before posting 69 — the only round in the 60s all day. He owns a three-shot lead entering the final round.

Feuerstein got off to a hot start on the front nine of his second round, making four birdies and no bogeys. He didn't record a bogey in the round until making four on the par-three 17th.

"My putter was working really well," Feuerstein told the SCGA. "I came out on fire to start my second round, but then started playing a little defensively. I really like the course, it's a lot like La Jolla CC, which I grew up on, so it fits my game well."

Winds gusted up to 20 miles per hour all Monday, making scoring difficult at the par-72, 6,588-yard course, which opened as Santiago Country Club in 1901. But it was more than just wind affecting players.

"The greens were so fast, the grounds crew had to soak them for the second round," said AmateurGolf.com staff member Kyle Rector, who is tied for 18th.

Two players are tied for second place at even-par 144, including perennial mid-amateur player Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, Calif. Wilson, who was low-amateur at the 2000 U.S. Open and medalist at the 2010 U.S. Amateur, shot 73-71. Also in the runner-up spot heading to Tuesday is Dan Ragsdale, who opened with 70 and shot 74 in the afternoon.

Defending champion Ramie Sprinkling is tied for sixth at 76-72, seven strokes behind Feuerstein.

One interesting note from day one was five-time SCGA Mid-Amateur champion Tim Hogarth, who after shooting 71 in the morning was forced to withdraw due to a back injury.