Jeff New leads by one at Texas South Mid-Am

23 Mar 2012
by Texas Golf Association
see also: View results for Texas South Mid-Amateur, South Shore Harbour Country Club
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 23, 2012) -- The 2012 Texas Golf Association’s South Mid-Amateur Championship, played on the North Course of The Club at Sonterra in San Antonio, has a crowded leaderboard following the first round. Jeff New has a one stroke lead heading into the second round after an opening round of even par 72. Hot on his heels are three Houston-area players sitting one stroke back.

New, of The Woodlands, started his round off with a birdie on the opening par five 1st hole. After giving back that opening birdie with a bogey on his second hole, New again was able to make birdie on the par three 3rd hole. After four straight pars, New dropped a stroke with a bogey on the uphill par four 8th hole.

Making the turn at even par, New was able to make two more birdies on the 11th and 15th holes, respectively. With bogeys on the par four 12th and 18th holes, New was able to turn in an even par round (36-36—72) to stake claim to the first round lead.

Sitting one stroke back of New at 1-over par 73 are Mike Booker and Randy Lance, both of The Woodlands, and Katy’s David Pocknall. Booker and Lance both carded two birdies and three bogeys in their opening rounds, while Pocknall recorded three birdies and four bogeys.

San Antonio’s Pat Youngs, a member of the host club, sits two strokes back alongside Blanton Hansen, of League City, and Houston’s Howard Herring at 2-over par 74. McAllen’s Ron Kilby sits alone at 3-over par 75.

The South Mid-Amateur is open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date and reside in the South Texas region (south of the 31’ parallel) with an index of 8.4 or less. Please reference “TGA Regional Tournament Eligibility” for additional details.

The format for the championship is 54 hole individual stroke play with no cut. The winner and runner-up will earn an exemption into this year’s Texas Amateur, which will be held June 14-17 at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas. The top three finishers also earn an exemption into the State Mid-Amateur at Dallas Athletic Club in September.

The 2011 South Mid-Amateur, held at Riverbend Country Club in Sugar Land, saw Mike McCaffrey from League City post three rounds in the 60’s en route to an 11-under par, two-stroke victory over Katy’s Chris Forbes.

Bart Worthing, Riverbend’s club champion, was the only other player in the field to finish under-par for the championship at 1-under par for the 54 holes.

View results for Texas South Mid-Amateur

ABOUT THE Texas South Mid-Amateur

Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date and residing in the South Texas region as defined by the Texas PGA Sections (South of 31 degree parallel, Salado TX and south is break point). Applicants must have a certified USGA Handicap Index of 8.4 or less. Format: 54 holes Stroke Play. No Cut. Field limit: 84 players.