Michigan State University Athletics
Mitch Pierce Paces Spartan Golfers At Western Amateur Championship
7/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 28, 2004
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - Sophomore Mitch Pierce (Fenton, Mich.) leads the Michigan State men's golf contingent after day one (July 28) of the 102nd Western Amateur Championship at the Point O'Woods Golf & Country Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.
Pierce fired an opening-round 68 to sit in a 10-way tie for eighth place after Wednesday's opening round. Pierce is just three shots off the leaders - Bronson LaCassie and Tyler Hall as both players shot an opening-round 65. Pierce's round included four birdies and just two bogeys.
Senior Andrew Ruthkoski (Muskegon, Mich.) is tied for 81st after shooting a 73, while sophomore Matt Harmon (Grand Rapids, Mich.) sits tied for 105th with a 75. Sophomore Zac Zedrick (Danville, Ill.) rounds out the Spartan group, sitting tied for 142nd with a 79.
All four players advanced to this year's championship after qualifying during the pre-qualifying competition at Lake Michigan Hills G.C. in Benton Harbor, Mich., and Hampshire C.C. in Dowagiac, Mich., on Monday (July 26).
A prestigious national tournament since its founding in 1899 at the Glen View Club in Golf, Ill., the Western Amateur has been held every year since the inaugural event with the exception of 1918 during World War I and 1943-45 during World War II. Past champions at the Point O'Woods in Benton Harbor, Mich., include Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Tiger Woods.
The field of the nation's 156 top amateur golfers will play 18 holes Thursday followed by a cut to the low 50 scores and ties. The players making the cut will play 36 holes on Friday, with the low 16 qualifying for match play on Saturday, July 31. The championship match will be held on Sunday, Aug. 1.
