N.C. mid-ams Boner, Woodard lead Pine Needles Invitational

A familiar pair of names leads the Pine Needles Invitational with one round to go in Southern Pines, N.C. Months after making waves at the U.S. Mid-Amateur staged practically in their backyard in Charlotte, N.C., brothers-in-law Stephen Woodard and Brett Boner lead the best-ball event by three shots.

Boner and Woodard, both fortysomething reinstated amateurs, combined for rounds of 64-66 at Pine Needles. They’re no strangers to this format, having won the Anderson Memorial, a two-man best-ball event at Winged Foot, last year.

Related: Locals Boner, Woodard rep city as U.S. Mid-Amateur matches begin

In September, Boner made a storied run to the championship match at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He lost to fellow North Carolinian Kevin O’Connell, but earned enough exemptions to set up a nice 2019. He teed it up at last month’s Jones Cup and finished T-43 in a field of college and junior golf’s best.

Bill Kwasnick and Chad Day are currently in second place with scores of 65-68.

The team of Paul Simson and Preston Edmondson lead the senior division with scores of 67-64. Sherrill Britt and Keith Waters are tied with Dan Crockett and Craig McElhaney in second place with a scores of 134.