The 17th green at Los Angeles Country Club
AmateurGolf.com photo

The course setup on Thursday presented a little more opportunity for players to earn redemption after yesterday’s opening round, and today's scores showed it. Scott Harvey (Kernersville, NC) recorded a 4-under 67 in the Mid-Amateur division (he's three back) and Chip Lutz recorded a 3-under 69, competing for the Senior Championship.

With one round left to play, the Mid-Amateur Championship is led by Matt Broome (Barrington, Rhode Island) with at 1-under 140 on the venue that will host the Walker Cup in September.

The Senior Amateur leader is Chip Lutz of Pennsylvania, who now has a one stroke lead going into the final day with a score of 3-over 145.

ROUND ONE RECAP

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 22, 2017) -- There are plenty of players in the hunt for their respective titles at the prestigious George C. Thomas Invitational, at Los Angeles Country Club.

The course -- which will host the Walker Cup in September -- was a tough test of golf on a beautiful California day.

In the Mid-Amateur Championship, Roger Hoit (Summit, NJ), Michael Barbosa (Vero Beach, FL), and Trevor Randolph (Franklin Lakes, NJ) are in a three way tie for first with a score of even-par 70 .

In the Senior Amateur Championship, Gene Elliott (West Des Moines, IA) and John McClure (Austin, TX) have the lead finishing with a score of 1-over 71.

ACE MAKERS

Amazingly, there were two aces today. Kemp Richardson made one on No. 11 and course architect Steve Smyers grabbed his on No. 4.

Both excellent holes, but we will have to give the shot of the day former USGA champ and highly decorated amateur, Kemp Richardson. Playing with Ken Weixel of Rancho Santa Fe, Richardson made his fifth, and longest ace of his career.

He hit hybrid to the long and tricky downhill par-3.

"It was funny, he was using a yellow Callaway ball since he can't see that far," said Weixel. "He stopped looking at it and I saw it go in. 'I said, Kemp, that went in. He said, it did?' It was cool!"