Around the Green

Royal Oaks CC Set For 2015 Texas Mid-Amateur

The 2015 Texas Mid-Amateur will be played September 25-27 at Royal Oaks Country Club.
 
Opened in 1969, Royal Oaks was designed by golf course architect J. Press Maxwell and PGA Professionals Don January and Billy Martindale. Long considered one of the area’s most challenging layouts, this will be the third TGA major championship conducted at Royal Oaks. Previously, the club was the site of the 2010 and 1974 Texas Amateur.
 
“We are excited to have the opportunity to return to Royal Oaks CC,” said Ryan Finn, the TGA’s Managing Director of Championships. “As previous host of two Texas Amateurs, Royal Oaks has proven its ability to rigorously test the players’ skill and identify a worthy champion.”
 
The TGA received a record 558 applications for this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur. The total eclipsed the previous record of 520 for last year’s championship at Escondido Golf & Lake Golf Club.
 
Thirty-one players were fully exempt from qualifying, based on past performance. To determine the remaining 101 spots in the 132-player starting field, 18-hole qualifiers were held at 13 sites across the state from July 29-Sept. 10.
 
The format for the Texas Mid-Amateur is 54 holes of individual stroke play. All contestants play 18 holes on both Sept. 25-26. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low 54 scores and ties heading into the final round on Sunday.
 
Terence Begnel of Midland, who won the 2014 championship at Escondido in a four-hole playoff, will be back to defend his title. No one has successfully repeated as champion since John Grace won four-in-a-row from 1991-94.
 
Four other past champions will join Begnel at Royal Oaks. They are Clay Hodge of Bryan (2013), John Bearrie of Arlington (2012), Beau Davis of San Angelo (2011), and Rob Couture of Dallas (2008).
 
The exceptional strong field this year also includes Doug Manor of Dallas and Zach Atkinson of Colleyville, respective winners of the 2013 and 2004 Texas Amateur, and two-time Texas Senior Amateur champion Ron Kilby of McAllen.
 
Admission to the 2015 Texas Mid-Amateur is free and spectators are encouraged to attend.
 
Once the action gets underway from Royal Oaks, log on to txga.org for live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings.
 
To learn more about this year’s championship please contact the Texas Golf Association main office at (214) 468-8942.