Jim Grainger leads NC Senior Amateur Championship
(Carolinas Golf Association)
WILMINGTON, NC (May 17, 2016) - First round leader
Jim Grainger, of Charlotte, NC followed his opening
round 66 with an even-par round of 72 to take a four
shot lead into the final round. Grainger carded two
birdies and two bogeys on the day. "They say ignorance
is bliss," said Grainger. "Yesterday I didn’t know where I
stood with the field, today was stressful knowing where
I stood.”
This is a familiar position for Grainger, who has
finished runner-up four straight years in the
championship. “I did not think I would be in this
position,” on his chance to win for a fifth year in a row.
“This was going to have to run out at some point, but
I’m excited to have the opportunity.”
Four strokes behind Grainger is fellow Charlotte
native Robby Kirby who shot 70 to put his two-day total
at 142. Kirby was in the same position last year five
strokes behind Grainger, “I just have to play better,
have to make some putts.” Kirby said on his chance to
win in 2016.
Three players sit tied for third five strokes back,
Harrison Rutter of Winston-Salem, NC, Ed Byman of
Raleigh, NC and Doug Owens of Albemarle, NC.
Seven time and defending champion Paul Simson,
of Raleigh, NC carded a one-under par 71 and is tied for
6th six shots back.
61 players made the 36 hole cut at 10-over-par
154. Final round tee times will begin from the 1st and
10th tees at 8:00am with the leaders starting at
9:40am.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Seven birdies and a
lone bogey led to a six-under-par 66 for Jim Grainger,
59, of Charlotte, NC. Starting on the back nine at
Porters Neck Country Club, Grainger birdied holes 11,
12 and 13 to fuel his hot start and added a birdie on 17
to turn at four-under.
"I felt very relaxed out there and made some putts
early on and kept hitting good golf shots," said Jim
Grainger. "When I had a birdie opportunity, I made the
putt.” Grainger, who is currently the Carolinas Senior
Four-Ball Champion with partner Jim Pearson, had his
putter to thank after the round of the day. “My friends
do not consider me a good putter, but something has
happened and I like it.
Grainger has finished runner-up in the NC Senior
Championship four years in a row, losing in a sudden
death playoff three of those years. When asked if this is
his year to finally break through, he responded “I do not
know (but if) I can be in the mix on the final day it will
be fun." Grainger has been in the position before, “I
came down here with the intentions of being nervous on
the final day.” With one more round like today, and he
will not have a reason to be nervous.
Alone in second place at three-under-par, three
shots back of Grainger, is 55-year-old Harrison Rutter of
Winston-Salem, NC. Preston Edmondson of Raleigh, NC
shot two-under par and is four shots back.
Defending champion Paul Simson, 65, of Raleigh, NC
carded a one-over 73 and is tied for 12th.
The North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship is
54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to
the low 60 scores and ties.
View results for North Carolina Senior Amateur
ABOUT THE North Carolina Senior Amateur
Must be a resident of North Carolina and a
member of a CGA member club. Maximum
handicap 9.9.
View Complete Tournament Information