(Deerwood, TX) – Fresh off of a medalist finish at a Texas Mid-Amateur qualifying, Tony Soerries continued his steady play with an opening round 3-under par 69 in the first round of the South Amateur Championship. Presented by CLUB CHAMPION, the final south regional series event of the year is being contested at Kingwood’s Deerwood Club. Three players sit within two strokes of Soerries’ lead, including 2011 South Amateur champion Mike Booker.
Soerries, of Spring, began his opening round on the backside. A bogey on the par four 10th hole would later be erased with three straight birdies on holes 15-17. A bogey on the par four 18th hole would give Soerries a 1-under par 35 heading to his back nine. Soerries would go on to flip flop the first and second holes with a birdie and bogey, respectively. Two more bogeys would be wiped out by an eagle-birdie-birdie finish for an opening round 3-under par 69.
Sitting one stroke behind Soerries is League City’s John Trivanovich with a 2-under par 70. Trivanovich’s day consisted of four birdies and two bogeys (34-36). Two shots out of the lead at 1-under par 71 are Houston’s James Bartell and Mike Booker, of The Woodlands. Bartell recorded four birdies and three bogeys, while Booker registered five birdies and four bogeys.
Ryan Kelley, of The Woodlands, and Missouri City’s Kip Guidry are both tied after the first round at even par 72. Defending champion Albert Miner is at 3-over par 75.
John Bennett enjoyed his first hole-in-one on the par three 17th hole. Playing at 166 yards, Bennett smoothed a 6-iron for his ace.
There are 18 players within six shots of Soerries after one round. The second round will begin Saturday morning starting at 11:00am with tee times going off of the first and tenth holes.
View results for Texas South Amateur
ABOUT THE
Texas South Amateur
Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur
golfers that reside in South Texas as defined
by the Texas PGA Sections (South of 31
degree parallel, Salado TX and south is break
point), with a certified USGA Handicap Index of
8.4 or less.
Format/Field Size: Play will be contested over 54
holes of Individual Stroke Play. The field is limited to
84 players.
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