Tim Miller and Dennis English share the lead in the 39th Senior Amateur Championship each firing a 1-under par 71 at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand. Chip Landon shot an even par 72 to go ahead by two strokes in the Super Senior division. The 2006 Championship continues through Thursday, April 13.
The first round of the 2006 Senior Amateur Championship featured 156 players competing for the title in windy conditions. Two competitors from Venice, Tim Miller and Dennis English, each blasted a 1-under par 71 in 15-20 mph winds to take the lead going into the second round of play. Miller, who currently ranks first on the Golfweek/Titleist Senior Amateur Rankings, shot a 36-35 while English posted a 34 on the front nine and 37 on the back nine. Three competitors trail the leaders by two strokes. Ron Cleland, from Naples, Bill Douglas, of London, and Carey Watson, of Coral Springs, each shot a 73 in the first round. Five players recorded a 74 including the 2004 Champion Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven.
Chip Landon goes into the second round of the Super Senior division ahead by two strokes after posting an even par 72. Landon, of Orlando, continued the momentum he had after acing a hole in the practice round. Landon recorded a 2-under 34 on the front nine and 38 for the back. Three players are tied for second place each shooting a 74. Jerry Jackson, of Sarasota, who finished second in the 65 and over Winter Series point standings, shot a pair of 37s for the round as did the 1995 Champion Chuck Smith, from Naples. JE Rowe, from Saint Augustine, had a 36 on the front and finished with a 38 on the back to share second place going into the second round of play.
Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted last year. While 73 players earned exempt status through a variety of different means, over 260 competitors attempted to qualify to complete the 156 player field. Qualifying took place at six sites across the state as competitors played 18 holes of stroke play hoping to advance to the Championship. Competitors play 54 holes of stroke play over the course of the three-day Championship. Participants must be 55 or older to participate in the Championship and enter one of the age divisions, 55-64 and 65 & over.
Victoria Hills Golf Club, in DeLand, is just 35 miles north of Orlando. Designed by Ron Garl, Victoria Hills is home to the Stetson University golf team and has hosted many FSGA and USGA events. The course was ranked in Golfweek’s “America’s Top 40 Best New Courses.”
Please see www.fsga.org for a complete list of pairings, tee-times and results.
Organized in 1913, the Florida State Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization that governs amateur golf in the state of Florida. In addition to conducting 22 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
