Southern Amateur: Olsen hopes to defend against one of the game's top fields

Another 'Major of Amateur Golf' tees off soon as the Southern Amateur gets underway Wednesday from The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn. The historical championship boasts a terrific list of past champions and annually brings in one of the seasons most impressive fields won't disappoint in this, the 108th playing of the event. Oklahoma State's Zachary Olsen returns to defend the title he won last year before embarking on his fast-rising collegiate career. He'll surely be contending against a number of top-flight collegians, including Indiana's Will Seger, who recently contended at the North & South Amateur, Alabama's Tom Lovelady, who helped power the Tide to a second straight NCAA title, rising UNC star Bailey Patrick, South Carolina's Matt NeSmith and many more. Among the most decorated amateurs in the field at the Southern, though, will undoubtedly be Georgia Tech star Ollie Schniederjans, who recently ascended to No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and was among the nation's most dominant players this past collegiate season. He'll be joined by No. 2-ranked player Robby Shelton from Alabama. Recent Northeast Amateur winner Stewart Jolly will be there, too. Indeed, it's a who's who of the game's top rising golfers taking aim at the 108th Southern Amateur next week. But the mid-amateur contingency will also be well-represented. U.S. Mid-Amateur runner-up Bill Williamson, Coleman Invitational champion Patrick Christovich and Concession Cup U.S. team member Paul Simson are a few players to keep an eye on. The action begins Wednesday and AmateurGolf.com will have full coverage.