Around the Green

93rd West Texas Amateur Set for July 16-18

The 93rd West Texas Amateur will be played July 16-18 on Abilene Country Club’s South Course.

Opened in 1980, the South Course (formerly known as the Fairway Course and Fairway Oaks) was designed by Ron Garl and Charles Coody. Host to PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour events from 1981-1990, the South Course has a well-earned reputation as a long, challenging layout with narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, prominent bunkering and large, undulating green complexes. When the wind blows, as it frequently does, the 7,136-yard, par-72 South Course provides a stern test of skill for even the most accomplished players.

Scheduled for 54 holes of individual stroke play, the West Texas Amateur features three divisions: Open, Senior (age 55 and older) and Super Senior (age 65 and older). The starting field limit is 144 players, with 84 spots allotted to the Open Division, 42 in the Senior Division and 18 for Super Seniors.

At the 2020 championship, played at Bentwood Country Club in San Angelo, J.T. Pittman of Monahans finished at 8-under-par 208 to win the overall title by two strokes over local resident Jansen Smith. Lewis Stephenson of Burleson carded a 6-under 66 in the final round for a dramatic come-from-behind win in the Senior Division. Doug Hopton-Jones of Mansfield won his second straight Super Senior Division title with rounds of 75-73-73.

Live scoring updates and daily recaps will be available once the action gets underway from Abilene Country Club.