Sheen Shines at the South Mid-Amateur

Briefly: Alvin’s Nathan Sheen finished atop the leaderboard at the South Mid-Amateur down in League City at South Shore Harbour Country Club. Sheen, who shot a tournament low round of 7-under par 65 in the second round, finished four strokes ahead of the field at 7-under par 209 for the 54-hole championship. The Woodlands’ John Hunter finished runner-up at 3-under par 213 and claimed low Mid-Master recognition.

Final Results

Golf Course: South Shore Harbour features three nine-hole courses (South, Shore, and Harbour) designed by Dave Marr and Jay Riviere. The original 18 holes, the South and Harbour Courses, opened for play in 1983, followed by the Shore Course, which opened in 1994. The combination of South (front nine) and Shore (back nine) were used for this year’ South Mid-Amateur.

Weather: Rain softened South Shore Harbour in the days leading up to the South Mid-Amateur, but gave way to breezy conditions and mostly sunny skies throughout the weekend with highs in the mid-70s.

Top Finishers: Sheen played steady golf throughout the championship while battling different conditions along the way. He opened with a 2-under par 70 in the first round, where the winds blew out of the north following two inches of rain the day before. His second round separated him from the field as he distanced himself with a hot putter en route to his 7-under par 65 under ideal scoring conditions. Sunday’s final round saw the wind shift again, this time out of the southeast with gusts up to 35mph. A final round 2-over par 74 was enough to win his first Texas Golf Association championship by four shots.

Hunter, who finished last year in a tie for second, followed it up with another second-place finish in the South Mid-Amateur after rounds of 70-70-73—213 to post 3-under for the championship. Rounding out the top three were Conroe’s Clay Fullick and Brent Battson, of Houston. The duo each posted a 2-under par 214 for three rounds. Fullick was one half of the team that won the first regional championship of the season, the South Four-Ball, last month at Bearkat Course in Huntsville.

Low Mid-Master: Hunter finished the South Mid-Amateur as the low Mid-Master (the lowest player in the field following play over the age of 40 years old) with his second-place finish.

Regional POY: South Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2024 South Mid-Amateur. The winning player will receive 900 points, followed by 750 for second, 650 for third, 600 for fourth, and 550 for fifth. For Regional POY information, click here.

What’s Next: The next event in the Regional Series will be the South Senior Amateur at Tapatio Springs Resort in Boerne. This year’s South Senior Amateur will be contested April 2-3. For more information, click here.

More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff, members of South Shore Harbour Country Club, and our volunteers for their integral part in making the South Mid-Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the South Mid-Amateur, click here.

Regional Mid-Amateurs Set for March 22-24

The TGA’s 2024 men’s regional tournament series continues this month with the North and South Mid-Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from March 22-24.

The North Mid-Amateur will be played on the Traditions Course at The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano. The South Mid-Amateur will be contested on a combination of the South and Shore nine-hole layouts at South Shore Harbour Country Club in League City.

This will be the fourth TGA championship held at Watters Creek and the third at South Shore Harbour. Watters Creek most recently hosted the 2023 North Four-Ball, won by Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano. The last TGA championship held at South Shore Harbour was the 2019 Women’s Eclectic, won by Anna Schultz.

Opened in 1986, the Traditions Course at Watters Creek was originally designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin. It was remodeled by D.A. Weibring and Golf Resources Group in 2012. South Shore Harbour features three nine-hole courses (South, Shore, and Harbour) designed by Dave Marr and Jay Riviere. The original 18 holes, the South and Harbour Courses, opened for play in 1983, followed by the Shore Course, which opened in 1994.

First played in 2003, Regional Mid-Amateur entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date, have an up-to-date Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. Along with crowning an overall champion, special recognition will be given to the low mid-master (player aged 40 and older). Regional performance points, which are applied to the yearlong North and South Regional Player of the Year races, are awarded to the top 30 finishers and ties. In addition, the top three finishers and ties in each event, as well as low mid-master, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held this fall at a site to be announced.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 19. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Courses at Watters Creek and South Shore Harbour Country Club.

At last year’s North Mid-Amateur, hosted by Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club in Rockwall, C.J. Brock won the title with rounds of 72-70-69. His 5-under-par 211 total was good for a one-stroke margin of victory over Brock Mulder. Brock and Mulder also finished 1-2 for low mid-master. Logan Thomason posted a 54-hole total of 3-over 219 on the Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood to capture the 2023 South Mid-Amateur by one shot over a quartet of players tied at 220. Otto Iskandar, one of the four second place finishers, claimed low mid-master honors.

Logan Thomason Wins South Mid-Amateur

Briefly: Logan Thomason, from Montgomery, overcame a two-shot deficit heading into the final round of the South Mid-Amateur to win by one stroke over four players. Thomason navigated his way around the Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood at three-over par 219 for three days, all while battling a different golf course each day due to the early spring weather in Kingwood. This is Thomason’s first victory with the Texas Golf Association.

Final Results

Golf Course: The Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood, considered the most challenging of the five layouts at the 90-hole facility, opened in 1992 and was designed by the architectural firm of Finger Dye Spann, Inc. The par-72 layout along the San Jacinto River played approximately 6,825 yards for the week. Portions of this year’s championship course were used in the 1996 major motion picture Tin Cup starring Kevin Costner.

Weather: Players dodged scattered showers during Friday’s opening round. After a brief fog delay to start round two, players enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80’s. Sunday’s final round again brought scattered showers and cooler temperatures with a high in the low 70’s.

Top Finishers: Thomason posted rounds of 72-74-73 over his three days which included a key birdie on the 17^th hole in the final round to secure his one stroke victory. Thomason began the final round at even par as he turned to the final nine holes, where he doubled the par 5 10^th hole. Steadying the ship, he birdied the next two holes to get back to even par for the day en route to his victory.

Finishing one shot off the lead in a tie for second place were Humble’s Logan Boatner, John Hunter and Juan Salcedo Signoret, both of The Woodlands, and Richmond’s Otto Iskandar. Tied for sixth at 5-over par 221 were Joey Guillon and Randy Lance, both of Spring. Rounding out the top eight at 6-over par 222 were Houston’s Brett Battson and Todd Albert, of Katy.

Mid-Master Recognition: Otto Iskandar finished the South Mid-Amateur as the low Mid-Master (the lowest player in the field following play over the age of 40 years old) with his tie for second place.

Regional POY: South Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2023 South Mid-Amateur. The winner will receive 900 points, followed by 750 for second, 650 for third, 600 for fourth, and 550 for fifth. The top 30 finishers (and ties) will earn South Player of the Year points. For Regional POY information, click here.

What’s Next: The South Regional Series will head to Gus Wortham Park Golf Course for the 2023 South Senior Amateur. The event will be contested April 4-5 on the recently renovated historical course.

Registration for the 114^th Texas Amateur is currently open and will close on March 29 at 5:00 PM. For more information and to register for the Texas Amateur, click here.

More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff and members of The Clubs of Kingwood as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the South Mid-Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the South Mid-Amateur, click here.

Regional Mid-Amateurs Set for March 24-26

The Texas Golf Association’s 2023 men’s regional tournament series continues this month with the North and South Mid-Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from March 24-26.

The North Mid-Amateur will be played at Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club in Rockwall. The Clubs of Kingwood’s Forest Course in Kingwood will be the host site for the South Mid-Amateur.

Situated along the northeastern edge of Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club (formerly The Shores Country Club) was originally designed by Ralph Plummer and opened in 1979. Jeffery Blume supervised a comprehensive remodel of the course in 2012. The Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood, considered the most challenging of the five layouts at the 90-hole facility, opened in 1992 and was designed by the architectural firm of Finger Dye Spann, Inc.

First played in 2003, Regional Mid-Amateur entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date, have an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel in Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. In addition to crowning an overall champion, special recognition will be given to the low mid-master (player aged 40 and older). The top three finishers and ties in each event, as well as low mid-master, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Midland Country Club in Midland.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 21. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club and The Clubs of Kingwood.

At last year’s North Mid-Amateur, hosted by Paris Golf & Country Club in Paris, Jason Schultz of Allen won the overall division in a playoff over Scott Maurer of Dallas. The two finished tied at 7-under-par 203 at the end of regulation play. Schultz also claimed low mid-master honors. Daniel Depasquale of Austin posted a 54-hole total of 6-over 222 at Forest Creek Golf Club in Round Rock to capture both the overall and mid-master titles at the 2022 South Mid-Amateur.

Depasquale Wins 2022 South Mid-Amateur

Briefly: Daniel Depasquale of Austin hangs on to win the Texas South Mid-Amateur at Forest Creek Golf Club. Depasquale carried a six stroke lead going into the final round, which proved to be just enough. Randy Lance of Spring finishes runner-up by one stroke, following three birdies over the last seven holes.

LEADERBOARD:
1) Daniel Depasquale, Austin, 73-68-81 | 222
2) Randy Lance, Spring, 76-71-76 | 223
3) Padden Nelson, Houston, 75-75-64 | 224
4) Jonathan Keane, Austin, 84-68-74 | 226
T5) Tino Flores, Houston, 72-78-77 | 227
T5) Brandon Rougeau, Round Rock, 79-71-77 | 227
7) Tim Hamm, Austin, 78-73-77 | 228
T8) Logan Boatner, Humble, 73-80-76 | 229
T8) Bill Shock, Houston, 81-76-72 | 229

Complete Results

GOLF COURSE: Forest Creek Golf Club provides a tough test with it’s rolling fairways and pristine greens. The Dick Phelps-designed course, built in 1990, underwent extensive renovations in the fall of 2018 that included the rebuilding of the greens with Tif-Eagle Bermuda, reconstruction of the bunkers, and a new irrigation system.

WEATHER: Players battled the elements during Friday’s first round as morning temperatures were in the low 50’s and wind gusts reached over 30 mph. Both the second and final rounds had temperatures reach into the 70’s, with the final round also having wind gusts of over 20 mph.

WINNER’S INFO: Daniel Depasquale posted a first round 1-over-par 73 in difficult weather conditions, leaving him one stroke behind Tino Flores of Houston. In the second round, Depasquale fired 6 birdies and an eagle to tie the low round for the event at 4-under-par 68. His third round was a grind, finishing at 9-over-par 81 and securing the victory by a single stroke.

IN CONTENTION: Randy Lance, of Spring, started the final round six strokes back. Three birdies on the final nine (including holes 16 & 17), put him within two of the lead. Ultimately, he would fall one short of the lead with a 76-71-76—223 total. Finishing third was Padden Nelson of Houston. His steady play of 75-75-74—224 was unbothered by the windy conditions on Friday and Sunday.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Peter Trivanovich, of League City, carded a hole-in-one during the second round. The ace came on the sixth hole with a four hybrid, which was playing approximately 180 yards.

WHAT’S NEXT: The 2022 season continues with the South Senior Amateur at Beaumont Country Club on March 30-31. You can view the entire Texas Golf Association calendar HERE.

MORE INFO: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff and members of Forest Creek Golf Club, the city of Round Rock, and our volunteers for their integral part in making the South Mid-Amateur a memorable and success event. For more information on the South Mid-Amateur, CLICK HERE.

TGA Regional Mid-Amateurs Set for March 18-27

The Texas Golf Association’s 2022 tournament season rolls on this month with the back-to-back playing of the Regional Mid-Amateurs.

First up is the South Regional Mid-Amateur to be held March 18-20 at Forest Creek Golf Club in Round Rock. The North Regional Mid-Amateur will be played March 25-27 at Paris Golf & Country Club in Paris.

Forest Creek Golf Club was designed by Dick Phelps and opened for play in 1992. Colligan Golf Design supervised a $5.1 million dollar renovation of the course in 2018. Paris Golf & Country Club was founded in 1916 and is one of the oldest clubs in Northeast Texas. The course was redesigned in 2000 by PGA Tour player and Paris resident John Adams.

First conducted in 2003, the Regional Mid-Amateurs are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date, belong to a TGA Member Club, have a World Handicap System Index of 8.4 or less and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The TGA uses the 31st parallel in Salado as the delineation between the North and South regions.

Both events are contested using the same tournament format. The staring field of 84 players will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. In addition to crowning an overall champion, special recognition will be given to the low Mid-Master (player aged 40 and older). The top three overall finishers and ties in each event, as well as low Mid-Master, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held Sept. 23-25 at Abilene Country Club in Abilene.

Live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee times and pairings, will be available at once the action gets underway from Forest Creek Golf Club and Paris Golf & Country Club.

Paul McNamara of Dallas won the 2021 North Regional Mid-Amateur held at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen. McNamara’s 12-under-par 204 was good for a five-shot victory over defending champion Anthony Estorga, also of Dallas. Gary Ezmerlian of Fort Worth finished at 2-under 214 to claim low Mid-Master honors. At the 2021 South Regional Mid-Amateur, played on the Weiskopf Course at Bentwater Yacht & Country Club in Montgomery, local resident Robert Gwin captured the title with rounds of 69-70-72. His 5-under 211 was two strokes ahead of runners-up Todd Albert of Katy and Kevin Liberto of Cypress. Padden Nelson of Houston was the low Mid-Master with a three-day total of 2-under 214.