Michigan State University Athletics
Mitch Pierce Sits In Fifth At Western Amateur Championship
7/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 29, 2004
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - Michigan State sophomore Mitch Pierce (Fenton, Mich.) has made the 50-player cut at the 102nd Western Amateur Championship at the Point O'Woods Golf & Country Club in Benton Harbor, Mich., on Thursday, July 28.
After shooting an opening-round 68 on Wednesday, Pierce shot a 1-under 69 on Thursday. He finished the first two rounds with a 3-under 137 and sits in a four-way tie for fifth place. Nathan Smith is the individual leader at 6-under 134.
The field of the nation's 156 top amateur golfers was cut to the low 50 scores and ties following 36 holes of play on Thursday. The players making the cut will play 36 holes on Friday, July 30, with the low 16 qualifying for match play on Saturday, July 31. The championship match will be held on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Three Spartans missed the cut as sophomore Matt Harmon (Grand Rapids, Mich.) finished tied for 78th with a 147 (75-72); senior Andrew Ruthkoski (Muskegon, Mich.) tied for 98th with a 149 (73-76); and sophomore Zac Zedrick (Danville, Ill.) tied for 133rd at 155 (79-76).
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.
