Bellerive Is Calling!
Eureka, MO - Bellerive is calling and the players have answered. 179 players arrived at Crescent Farms Golf Club to vie for one of 103 spots available in the 34th Metropolitan Amateur Championship. It was a warm and humid day on the course, but players remained in good spirits and vigilant in their endeavor. Going off in two waves, the day began at 7:00am and was complete by 8:55pm.
The low rounds of the day came from Dominic Mazzola and Trigg Lindahl at four-under (-4) par. Lindahl shot a bogey free 68 with two birdies and an eagle. D. Mazzola got to 68 with seven birdies across his round. When the day was done, eleven players had carded scores of even par or better. 105 players were within the cut line of eight-over (+8) par once the final scores were in. This left 13 players for 11 spots in the championship. When the playoff roll call was made, only 8 were present which gave them an automatic entry to the championship without having to play a hole. Those eight players are Dylan Handlan, Jordan Stapp, AJ Porter, Zachary Pranger, Colin Hall, Chance Trottman-Hueit, Matt Dunham, and Jarrett James. For the five not present, their names were put into a hat to see who would make the championship through a lottery draw. The three players drawn were Clay Savage, Nick George, and Rhoads Hall.
For the final two drawn out of the hat, they would be placed in the alternate 1 and 2 spots. Alternate 1 is Tucker Jensen and alternate 2 is Michael Todorovich. With a total of 5 alternate spots available, the players that were present and sitting at nine-over par would playoff for the final 3 spots. Six players set off down Hole 1 to determine which three would get the remaining spots. Alternate spot 3 goes to Alex Nealis, alternate spot 4 goes to Jim Greenstein, and alternate spot 5 goes to Mike McKillips at the conclusion of the playoff.
For the players that made it through qualifying today, they will join the 53 exempt players on August 1-3 at Bellerive Country Club for the 34th Metropolitan Amateur Championship. Bellerive is calling and 156 players have answered.