Around the Green

Hickman Takes Outright Lead at the 2016 North Mid-Amateur

Hickman Takes Outright Lead at the 2016 North Mid-Amateur
 
Garland, TX – Aaron Hickman from Tyler shot a three-under-par, 69 to take the solo lead after the second round of the North Mid-Amateur at Firewheel Golf Park. Rob Couture of Dallas trails by six.

Aaron Hickman started his day with four straight pars before he finally saw his first birdie roll in. The 14^th hole which measures at 125 yards was when Aaron got some momentum started that propelled him to close his front nine well. He added another birdie right after on the 407 yard, 15^th. After two pars, the Tyler native made birdie on the 18^th which got the better of him yesterday when he made bogey.  A slight misstep on the par three, 3^rd was amended right away with a birdie on his next hole. Six straight pars after that saw him take a six-shot lead into the final round.

Hickman had previously won the North Mid-Amateur in 2011 contested at Trophy Club Country Club. In this the 13^th playing of North Mid-Amateur, the title would put Aaron in good company with Zach Atkinson (’13 &’15) and Rob Couture (2007-2010) as multiple winners.

As for Couture, he is in solo second with his one-over-par, 73. He trails Hickman by six shots headed into the final round. The two will be paired together going off at 9:48 am.

Couture’s round got off to a slower start then he would have liked with no birdies on the more difficult front side. The Dallas resident however flipped the script immediately with a birdie on the 519 yard par five, 10th. Despite one more bogey, he added one more birdie on 200 yard par three, 16^th.  For Rob, it would be his fifth North Mid-Amateur title.

Just seven back is Christopher Wheeler of Addison. Wheeler carded a two-over-par, 74 on the second round and will round out the pairing group of Hickman and Couture.

Couture does however hold the lead by four over John Bearrie, Arlington, in the Super Mid-Amateur race. After play of the final round, the Texas Golf Association will recognize the low Super Mid-Amateur (ages 40 and older) in the field.

The final round of the North Mid-Amateur will begin again at 8:00am off the 1^st and 10^th tees. Hickman will be lookinto take his second North Mid-Amateur title at 9:48 am.  For Full Results, click here