First Round Leader Stewart Whitt of Athens
ATHENS, Ala. – First round results of the 19th Alabama State Match Play Championship of the Alabama Golf Association hosted by Canebrake Club in Athens, Ala. on Thursday, August 8, 2019 (7056 yards, par 36-36—72, 73.7/140).
The 19th Alabama State Match Play Championship began today with 44 players teeing off at Canebrake Club. Players enjoyed warm weather with little wind and fortunately missed stormy weather that blew through Athens late Wednesday night.
Canebrake Club’s own Stewart Whitt sits in first place following round one. His six-under par 66 was bogey-free and included birdies at holes one, four, six, 12, 14 and 18. He leads by one shot going into the second qualifying round. Whitt is the two-time defending Alabama State Mid-Amateur Champion (2017, 2018).
In solo second place is Scott Weaver, also a Canebrake member, who posted a five-under par 67. Weavers’ round included five birdies, four of which came on the back side, where he fired a 32. Weaver is a past Alabama Mid-Amateur Champion (2001-2003). Last years’ runner-up, Harlan Winn of Birmingham is tied with Dakota Terry of Trinity for third place at four-under par 68.
Defending champion Sam Murphy is not in the field as he will be teeing it up at the U.S. Amateur Championship beginning August 11 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Murphy defeated Winn 6 and 5 at Burningtree Country Club in last year’s championship.
The second qualifying round will tee off tomorrow at 7:30a.m. at Canebrake Club.
Round One Notes
• 13 players are under par through 18 holes with a field average score of 73.9
• 66 (-6) was the low round of the day carded by Stewart Whitt
• 124 birdies and 1 eagles posted in the qualifying round
• Easiest hole: No. 18, 537 yard par 5, 4.77 scoring average
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• Hardest Hole: No. 5, 451 yard par 4, 4.32 scoring average Round 1 Results
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