Zach Seifert (SCGA)

It would not be an easy task as defending champion Jordan Sease was nipping on Seifert’s heels just one shot back and Cody Clepper tailed by just two strokes.

Not rocking the boat, Seifert fired a 1-under 33 on the front nine to maintain his lead. On the par-4 10th at Florence Country Club in Florence, South Carolina, Seifert picked up another birdie to go two under on the day and five under for the championship.

Coasting on cruise control, both Sease and Clepper remained in the shadows, clipping along at nearly the same pace. Even par through No. 14, Sease’s title defense came to an end as he carded a quadruple-bogey 8 on the par-4 15th.

Seifert also had a misstep on the 14th, but not nearly to the degree of Sease as he escaped with a bogey on both No. 14 and 15 to slide back to even on the day and two under for the tournament.

Clepper, who was two under on the day and tied with Seifert through No. 16, ended up giving Seifert breathing room heading into the last with a double-bogey on the par-4 17th to give Seifert a two stroke advantage with one hole remaining.

The two stroke lead would stay intact as Seifert, electing to play conservatively, would par the par-5 18th to take home the crown.

“My wedge and short game are my best attributes,” Seifert told the SCGA. “I knew that I needed to play safely on 18 to win.”

Clepper would take a solo second place finish with an even par tournament total of 210 (70/70/70). Finishing his final four holes at six over par, Clepper grabbed a share of fifth place alongside Kyle Bearden at 5-over 215. Brian Quackenbush (213) and Jeremy Revis (214) took third and fourth place, respectively.

View results for South Carolina Mid-Amateur