Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

Sauntry Leads After Opening Round of the South Mid-Amateur

LEAGUE CITY – Trevor Sauntry opened the first round of the 2017 South Mid-Amateur with a 3-under par 69 on the England-Scotland Courses at Magnolia Creek Golf Club in League City. Sauntry was one of four players to post an under par round on the links-style layout. This year’s second event of the TGA South Regional Series is presented by Impact Precision Golf.
 
Sauntry, of Houston, began his round on the back nine (Scotland) with eight pars and one birdie on the par four 11th hole. As he turned to the front nine (England) he registered birdies on the first, sixth and ninth holes. His lone bogey came on the par five fourth hole.
 
“I kept it in front of me all day. When it gets windy like today you cannot get too aggressive” Sauntry said after his round. Players battled a stretch of today’s round with wind gusts near 20 miles per hour.
 
Alone in second place after day one with a 2-under par 70 is Josh Bateman, of Spring. Bateman was able to post five birdies throughout his round coupled with two bogeys en route to his under par day.
 
Pearland’s Broc Haymon and Robert Evans, of Austin, sit in a tie for third place with opening rounds of 1-under par 71. Haymon had four birdies with three bogeys while Evans posted three birdies and two bogeys.
 
Four players sit at even par 72, including Magnolia Creek member and defending club champion Lee Crane. Joining him at even par are Jimmy Vandagriff and Chris Causey, both of Houston, and San Antonio’s Ross Wilhelm. Eight players stand at 1-over par 73, including 6 players tied for the Mid-Master lead.
 
In addition to crowning an overall champion, the TGA will recognize the low Mid-Master (formerly Super Mid-Amateur). This recognition will be presented to the low golfer over the age of 40. After the opening round Stephen Paterson, Clay Garner, Scott Smith, Ed Sanchez, Blanton Hansen and Jess Bonneau are all tied for the Mid-Master recognition.
 
Defending champion Danny Simmerman, of Shavano Park, began defense of his title with an opening round 3-over 75.
 
Tomorrow’s second round will begin with tee times starting at 8:00 AM off of holes #1 & #10, again off of the England and Scotland Courses at Magnolia Creek. For more information regarding this year’s South Mid-Amateur presented by Impact Precision Golf, including full scoring results, please click here.