Mid-Amateur Championship Preview

The Mid-Amateur Championship kicks off this Thursday, October 10th at Mountain Lake Golf Course in Lake Wales. Prior to the week's championship, more than 300 players attempted to qualify at oneof eight sites across the state.

Mountain Lake Golf Course, located in the heart of the state, is the definition of hidden gem.  Located in Lake Wales, Mountain Lake is accessible from just about anywhere in the state.  It is an extremely private and prestigious golf course with a rich history.  Mountain Lake is continually ranked as one of the top courses in Florida by all major publications and is always in phenomenal condition.

The first two rounds of the Championship will take place on Thursday and Friday, consisting of 18 holes of individual stroke play to determine seeds in the round of 32 matches (all ties for seeds will be broken randomly). The third round on Saturday will mark the start of match play, with the round of 32 to be played in the morning and then the round of 16 to be played in the afternoon. The quarter-finals will be held on Sunday morning followed by the semi-finals that afternoon. Monday morning will mark the Championship match where the 2013 Mid-Amateur Champion will be crowned.

The 2013 field features Six past Champions:

• 2012 - Rick Woulfe, Fort Lauderdale

• 2010 & 2011 - Stephen Anderson, Hobe Sound

• 2008 - Garrett Morrison, Orlando

• 2005 - Jon Veneziano, Mount Dora

• 1999 - Joe Alfieri II, Lutz

• 1995 - Doug LaCrosse, Tampa
  

Three more players are just returning from the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship:

• Brian Armstrong, Tampa

• Daniel Debra, Lutz

• Jeronimo Esteve, Windermere

Additional Notable Players to Watch this week are:

• John Wight, Lake Wales, a member at Mountain Lake will be the oldest competitor in the field at 70 years old.

• Pete Williams, Juno Beach, the 2012 Florida Senior Open Champion

• Thad Hudgens, Longwood, runner-up at 2013 Mid-Senior Championship & 3rd at 2013 State Amateur, sits 2nd on the 2013 Player of the Year Points List

• Don Bell, Port Orange, 2013 Mid-Senior Champion

• Gordon Marshall, Low Amateur at the 2013 Florida Senior Open

• Darin Green, Tampa, Florida State Golf Association - Director of Junior Golf

There are a lot of points up for stake this week and in addition to crowning the Mid-Amateur Champion, the event could also crown this years Player of the Year.  We are excited for some great golf at one of Central Florida's premier facilities.  Be sure to follow scores online beginning Thursday!