US Mid-Amateur: Round 2 (Tuesday) Notebook

12 Sep 2006
see also: U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, Kinloch Golf Club
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- this could be his year

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept 12, 2006) -- Californian Jeff Wilson's victory over Trip Kuehne at the US Mid Amateur could hardly be called an upset, but odds makers would have likely have given Kuehne, from Dallas, the definitive pre-match advantage in round 2 at the US Mid Amateur.

Wilson, 43, who was low amateur at Pebble Beach at the US Open in 2000, was also qualifying medalist at US Mid Amateur that year and again in 2001 and 2004. In 2001, and 2002 he advanced to the semi-finals, while he made the quarters in 2000 and 2004. Some of the "west coast contingency" of amateurs even think that the re-instated amateur was unfairly overlooked as a pick for the 2001 Walker Cup team. He may get another chance to prove himself.

On Tuesday, Wilson birdied three of the first five holes against Kuehne to take a 3-up advantage, then never let Kuehne back into the match, closing it out on the par 4 16th hole, where he matched Kuehne's birdie 3.

Wilson will face 27-year-old Dave Womack in the round-of-16.

Another Californian, Marc Peterson of Modesto, competed in the longest match so far against Pennsylvanian Arnold Cutrell-- one that was halted due to darkness after two extra holes on Monday afternoon. The two players slept with birdies on their mind, as both made 3 at the short par 4, 2nd hole as darkness approached Monday. They split holes 21 and 22 on Tuesday morning, before former UC Chico golfer Peterson birdied their 23rd hole to win the match. Peterson, 25, wasted no time in the second round, defeating No. 4 seed Jim Strickland of Arizona, 6&4.

Other highlights from Round 2:
Gene Elliott of Iowa defeated Rick Reinsberg of Santa Barbara, Calif. (4&3); Elliott's fellow Iowan Mike McCoy required 21 holes to defeat Richard Berkmeyer of St. Louis; 2005 US Mid-Am runner up Carlton Forrester rallied to defeat Tim Cobb of Indiana, 2&1.

For complete results, click on the name of the tournament next to "see also" at the top of this page and follow the results link (amateurgolf.com premium membership requested).

ABOUT THE U.S. Mid-Amateur

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 qualifying held at two courses, after which the low 64 (with a playoff if necessary to get the exact number) advance to single elimination match play.