2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Preview: Harvey looks to repeat

September 30, 2015 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Scott Harvey

Scott Harvey has continued to play spectacularly since winning in 2014 at Saucon Valley, but 255 other mid-ams are ready to claim their own title

VERO BEACH, Fla. — Scott Harvey has continued to play spectacularly since winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2014 at Saucon Valley, where he defeated Missouri native and 2015 Crump Cup medalist Brad Nurski 6-and-5 at the property's Old Course.

Harvey, of Greensboro, N.C., has two nice wins wrapped up in 2015, including a trip to Lima, Peru where he won the South American Amateur by two over a strong field that included former Tulsa University golfer Andre Tourinho, University of South Florida stud Claudio Correa, and recently turned-pro Englishman Ashley Chesters, who competed for GB&I at the Walker Cup.

Harvey joined Mike McCoy as one of two mid- amateur United States team members at the Walker Cup, where Harvey compiled a 1-2 record, securing his victory in the Saturday Singles 2-and-1 over Grant Forrest.

RELATED: Pairings/Starting Times

Beginning Saturday at John's Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla., 255 other mid-amateurs will be ready to claim their own title, including a few who will be in position to reclaim victory.

Other than the defending champion, here are AmateurGolf.com's 4 picks to take this year's crown.

Brad Nurski - St. Joseph, Mo.
Last year's runner-up is a safe pick to heavily compete at John's Island, especially considering he bested a hopeful bunch earlier this month at Pine Valley during stroke play qualifying for the Crump Cup. Let's just say, if you can conquer Pine Valley Golf Club, you can compete just about anywhere. This will be the ninth USGA championship for Nurski, with his eighth coming in August at Olympia Fields for the U.S. Amateur, where he reached the round of 32.

Randal Lewis - Alma, Mich.
Lewis might be 58, but he is only four years removed from his victory at the 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur. During the currently ongoing U.S. Senior Amateur, Lewis medalled by two shots and made it through to the quarterfinals before losing to Chip Lutz. When he defeated Kenny Cook 3-and- 2 at Shadow Hawk Golf Club, he became the oldest U.S. Mid-Amateur victor. Remarkably, Lewis has a 21-8 career record in match play at the event. Look for the Golf Association of Michigan Player of the Decade (1990s) to certainly continue that trend in South Florida.

Mike McCoy - West Des Moines, Iowa
A preview for a Mid-Amateur tournament wouldn't be complete without a mention (or two) of one of the best mid-amateur over the last decade. McCoy, the 2013 champion, is fresh off a Walker Cup appearance, where he became the third oldest competitor in history. Since turning 50, he has turned in low-amateur performances at the most recent two U.S. Senior Opens, including 2015 at Del Paso where his 18-hole total of 282 tied a record for an amateur player.

John Sawin - San Francisco, Calif.
Sawin is competing in his fourth USGA championship, and 2015 may be the year he breaks through. He captured the prestigious Walter J. Travis Invitational back in May, and in 2014, he left his job in financial services to play a full season of amateur golf. During that time, he qualified for both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same week and won the Pennsylvania State Amateur at Oakmont Country Club. The four-time club champion at Merion Golf Club also reached the quarterfinals at this year's Crump Cup.

About the U.S. Mid-Amateur

2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Preview: Harvey looks to repeat

The U.S. Mid-Amateur originated in 1981 for the amateur golfer of at least 25 years of age, the purpose of which to provide a formal national championship for the post-college player. 264 players begin the championship with two rounds of sroke play q...

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