BLUFFTON, S. C. (July 9, 2015) – The 16th Annual Players Amateur began today at Berkeley Hall Golf Club’s North Course with 90 of amateur golf’s elite players.
Leading the way so far are a trio of players at 4-under par, including University of Alabama golfer Robby Shelton, recent Ogelthorpe graduate Anthony Maccaglia, and Armstrong State University graduate Michael Tuten.
Shelton, a first-team All-American selection this past spring, shot a 67 which included six birdies and two bogeys. Maccaglia also played a very solid round that included five birdies and a lone bogey.
Maccaglia won the Jack Nicklaus award early this year as the best Division III golfer in the country. Though he is one of the few non-Division I players in the field, Maccaglia is no stranger to competing against big name players, having competed in last year’s Palmer Cup for the United States.
Tuten began his round even-par through his first nine and then got hot, making three consecutive birdies on holes 10-12 and adding two more on holes 15 and 17 for a back-nine 31.
“It’s going to be a grind all week,” Tuten told the Players Amateur. “It’s really tough out here but I mean these greens are perfect. It’s going to be a putting competition really.”
The trio have a one-shot lead over a very-talented bunch at 3-under including Oklahoma State golfer Zachary Olsen, University of South Carolina golfer Matthew Nesmith, and University of South Florida’s Chase Koepka.
The field has three more rounds to play to decide a champion come Monday. Round two begins at 7am local time Friday.
Robby Shelton among leaders at Players Amateur
Robby Shelton shares first round lead with Anthony Maccaglia and Michael Tuten at the Players Amateur