Grant's birdie barrage was impressive considering it occurred while playing Black Diamond's famous quarry holes. Standing in second place at 2-under par 70 are Ft. Myers' Tom Carr; Tampa's Pipp Patton; 1998 U.S. Mid-Amatuer runner-up Chip Holcombe of Casselberry; and current FSGA President Rick Woulfe of Ft. Lauderdale. Play continues Friday in this 25-and-over Championship with the second round of stroke play before the field of 90 golfers is trimmed to the low 16 scorers who will advance to match play.
The 16th score fell at 73, with many marquis players near that score. Defending champion 1999 Player-of-the-Year Joe Alfieri II of Lutz shot a 71. Two-time State former Mid-Amateur champion, Mark Leetzow of Sarasota and two-time Mid-Amateur champion John Corzilius of Nokomis both shot even-par 72's. Tampa's Doug LaCrosse, who is competing with Alfieri for this year's Player-of-the-Year honor, shot a 76.
Black Diamond ranch is a 36-hole facility, but most people only recognize the five famous quarry holes. The esteemed Quarry Course was finished in December of 1987. The first nine of the Ranch Course was completed in 1991. Six years later, the project was completed when the back nine opened in November of 1997. Both courses are highly regarded, Golf Magazine has ranked the Quarry Course as the 3rd best in the state and 60th best in the country, while the Ranch Course is listed as the 10th best in the state.
The Florida State Mid-Amateur Championship is the 15th of 17 state championships conducted annually by the Florida State Golf Association. The FSGA is a not-for-profit organization that promotes, preserves, and protects amateur golf in the state of Florida. For information about membership, please call (813) 632-3742.
