EATONTON, Ga. - Defending champion Cameron Hooper of Atlanta posted a steady even-par 70 in round one to lead the Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship by a stroke. The 33rd annual competition is taking place at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, May 16-18.

Hooper carded three birdies (holes five, six, 15) and three bogeys (holes 11, 12, 16) in the opening round of his title defense effort. Bob Royak of Alpharetta is one stroke back at 1-over-par 71. Two players sit at 2-over-par 72 after the first 18 holes of play, including two-time Georgia Mid-Amateur winner David Noll, Jr., of Dalton, and Scott Campbell of Sandy Springs.

Only Hooper and Danny Nelson of Savannah made the turn under par (both at 2- under). Nelson finished round one at 3-over-par 73 with four other players.

Entries were open to male amateur golfers who are GSGA members, Georgia residents and age 25 or older as of May 16. A total of 392 players entered this year's Georgia Mid-Amateur. There are 25 exempt players competing, with the remaining 119 spots filled by the 363 non-exempt entrants who competed in one of six, 18- hole qualifiers that took place statewide.

Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee is playing to 6,730 yards and a par 70 for the Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship.

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