On his home track John Engler Jr. leads Georgia Mid-Amateur
(USGA Photo)
AUGUSTA, GA (May 21, 2016) - John Engler, Jr., of Augusta goes 68-66 over the first 36 holes to lead the Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship by one-stroke at 8-under-par 134 heading into the final round. The 35th playing of this competition is being played at Augusta Country Club, May 20-22.
Engler, who is playing on his home track at Augusta Country Club, is 18 holes away from recording his first victory on the GSGA circuit. He scored six birdies and three bogeys in round one, and on Saturday, he scored seven birdies and two bogeys to take the lead from Rob VanGorder, Jr., of Acworth, who was the 18-hole leader at 66.
Taylor Smith of Convington is 7-under-par 135 (68-67). Two players are tied at 6-under-par 136, including Don Carpenter III of Athens (69-67) and VanGorder (66-70). Local member and two-time Georgia Mid-Amateur winner (2008, 2009), Jeff Knox of Augusta, enters the final round five strokes back at 3-under-par 139 (69-70).
After 36 holes of play, 71 players at 8-over-par 150 and better made the cut and will tee it up on Sunday for the final round.
The format is 18 holes of stroke play each day. The field of 144 players was cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Rob VanGorder, Jr., of Acworth leads the pack after posting a 5-under-par 66 in wet conditions during round one of the Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship. The 35th playing of this competition is being played at Augusta Country Club, May 20-22.
VanGorder made bogey on the third hole and par on the fourth hole, then birdied six of his next 13 holes. His 5-under score is two strokes better than the score of four others at 3-under-par 68, who share second place, including John Engler, Jr., of Augusta, Doug Stiles of Athens, Mike Cromer of Peachtree Corners and Taylor Smith of Covington.
The defending champion, Jack Hall of Savannah, posted a 1-over-par 72 on day one of this competition and currently sits six strokes behind the leader.
Once round one became final, 11 players finished in red numbers.
The format is 18 holes of stroke play each day. The field of 144 players will be cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes.
Entries were open to male amateur golfers who were a GSGA member, Georgia resident and age 25 or older as of May 20. A total of 633 players entered this year's championship. There are 24 exempt players competing this week. The remaining 120 spots were filled by the entrants who competed in one of six, 18-hole qualifiers that took place statewide in April.
View results for Georgia Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE Georgia Mid-Amateur
Entries: Open to male amateur golfers
age 25 or
older as of the first day of the
championship
Field: 144 players; non-exempt players
enter
through one of seven statewide 18-hole
qualifiers
Format: 54 holes of stroke play; field
cut to the
low 70 and ties after 36 holes
View Complete Tournament Information