Chip Holcombe of Casselberry earned medalist honors at the Florida State Mid-Amateur Championship, but the top story was Tampa's Doug LaCrosse firing a 9-under par 63 on Friday to tie the course record for Black Diamond Ranch's Quarry Course. Joey Bassett, the current Head Professional at Black Diamond Ranch, shot a 63 about a year ago to set the course record, while Ben Taylor shot a 65 at the 1996 Florida State Amateur Championship to previously set the amateur scoring record.
Holcombe, the 1998 U.S. Mid-Amateur runner-up, shot a 2-under par 70 in the first round and a 4-under par 68 in the final round to earn the number one seed for match play.
After shooting a 4-over par 76 during the first round, LaCrosse shot 32-31--63 with nine birdies to earn the 2nd seed. Starting on the 10th hole, LaCrosse parred the first two holes. He then birdied seven of the next nine holes with pars coming on the 15th and 17th holes. He finished with birdies at the 5th and 8th holes.
Play continues Saturday in this 25-and-over Championship with the first and second rounds of match play. The semis and final will be held Sunday.
The cut for the low 16 scorers who advance to match play came at 3-over 147, with a two-man playoff to decide the final spot. Frank Griffin of Tampa parred the first two playoff holes to advance, while Altamonte Springs' Ed Parnell bogeyed the second hole.
Defending champion and 1999 Player-of-the-Year Joe Alfieri II of Lutz advanced the as the 12th seed. Two-time State Amateur champion and former Mid-Amateur Champion Mark Leetzow of Sarasota qualified as the 7th seed, while two-time Mid-Amateur Champion John Corzilius of Nokomis is the 5th seed. First-round leader Michael Grant of Tallahassee followed his 69 with a 77 to earn the 14th seed.
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-profrt organization that promotes, preserves, and protects amateur golf in the state of Florida. For information, please call (813) 632-3742.
