Rick Stimmel (Pennsylvania Golf Association Photo)
Rick Stimmel of Pittsburgh, Pa., shot a 2-over 74 to jump to the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round of the 2023 Dixie Senior and Mid-Master Invitational at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla.
The course played harder in the second round than it did for the first, with just one golfer in each of the three divisions finishing under par.
Trent Gregory of Wake Forest, N.C., is in solo second place and just one shot back of Stimmel at 1-over after an even-par 72 second round.
Walker Taylor of Wrightsville, Beach, N.C., is in solo third place at 2-over.
Michael Hughett of Ossawa, Okla., who held the first-round lead after a 3-under 69, fell to T4 after a 6-over 78. Hughett is tied in fourth place with Mike Combs of Roswell, Ga.
Mid-Master Division
First-round leader Tim Eckberg of Waynesville, N.C., held his spot after a second-round even-par 72 after a first-round 2-under 70. The head golf coach at Western Carolina University leads by four shots heading into the final round.
Matt Giovannelli of Ocala, Fla., flew up the leaderboard after shooting a 3-under 69 to sit in solo second place. Giovannelli shot a first-round 5-over 77.
Jason Lina of Alpharetta, Ga., is in solo third place and six shots back of Eckberg at 4-over.
Super Senior Division
Tim Vigotsky of Palm City, Fla., and Steve Humphrey of Ocala, Fla., are tied at the top of the division at 1-under with 18 holes remaining. Vigotsky shot a second-round 1-over 73 after a first-round 2-under 70, while Humphrey shot a second-round 1-under 71 after an opening-round even-par 72.
2022 champion Tyson Terry of Perrysburg, Ohio, is in solo third place at 2-over.
HistoryThe Dixie Amateur originated in 1924 and was played at the old Miami Country Club. Florida has always been a golf destination, and the tournament always attracts a strong field of talented amateur players.
Early winners of the Dixie Amateur included Frank Stafaci, Earl Christianson, Frank Perpich, Al Besselink, Bill Hyndman III, and future Masters Champion Doug Ford. With the closing of the Miami Golf Club in 1953, the Dixie was discontinued until 1962.
The Dixie Amateur has been played continuously since 1962 at various courses in South Florida, including The Links at Key Biscayne and the Golf Club of Miami. During this time, the tournament began attracting the best players in the United States, and several players won before graduating to the PGA Tour. Champions include Andy Bean, Bruce Fleisher, Lanny Wadkins, Nolan Henke, Len Mattice, and Jesper Parnevik.
In 1990 the Dixie Amateur was moved to the Bonaventure Resort. During this time period, the tournament was moved to December and held during the Christmas break. This move allowed a greater number of collegiate golfers to participate, and the strength of our field grew substantially.
In 1997 a senior division was created for players 55 years and older. This increased exposure and attracted an even stronger field of senior golfers. Steve Earsley of Stuart, Florida won the inaugural event and repeated as Champion in 1998.
In 2002, the women's division was added and has consistently attracted the finest female amateurs in the world. The inaugural women's champion, Meaghan Francella, narrowly defeated Paula Creamer, now an LPGA superstar. The 2007 women's champion, Lexi Thompson, became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament in 2011 at the age of 16.
The 2009 Dixie Amateur saw the addition of the first Senior Women’s Dixie Amateur Championship.
In 2011, ClubLink acquired the Dixie Amateur and put renewed emphasis on providing the best possible experience for all contestants. The women's, senior women's, and senior men's divisions are now played at two ClubLink properties: Palm Aire Country Club and TPC Eagle Trace.
In 2019, a Mid-Master division for players aged 40- 54 was added to the Senior tournament, allowing more players to experience the Dixie.
ABOUT THE
Dixie Senior & Mid-Master
The senior version of the Dixie Amateur
Championship added a Mid-Master division
starting in 2019. 54-hole
stroke play event with no cut. Mid-Master (ages 40-
54), Senior (ages 55-64)
and Super Senior
(65+) Divisions. The tournament has long drawn
some of the
country's top senior golfers to South Florida -- Doug
Hanzel (2013-2014, 2017); Brady Exber (2012); and
Rick
Woulfe (an amazing 7 titles, his latest in 2015) are
among the past
champions. All three rounds are
contested at
Eagle Trace Golf Club. You may request an
invitation at
www.dixieamateur.com.
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