Acworth, G.A. — Michael Standard of McDonough, Ga., fired a 6-under-par 65 to earn medalist honors and a spot in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship after an 18-hole qualifier at Cobblestone Golf Course. Four Georgians came in at 2-under-par 69, including Matthew Swan of Atlanta, Bob Royak of Alpharetta, Brian Katrek of Mableton and Scotty Scott of Hoschton.
Five Georgians tied at 1-under-par 70. Those players were Jack Larkin of Atlanta, Rusty Strawn of McDonough, Fred Rescigno, Jr., of Suwanee, Taylor Smith of Covington and Mike Cromer of Peachtree Corners.
A playoff was needed to determine the final three qualifying spots and two alternate positions. Due to severe weather in the area, play was suspended at 6:58 p.m. Wednesday. The playoff began at 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning. On the first playoff hole (18), Larkin and Cromer both made par to earn qualifying spots. On the next hole (12), Rescigno made his birdie putt to clinch the final spot in the U.S. Mid-Amateur. On the third playoff hole (13), Strawn finished as first alternate and Smith finished as the second alternate.
The 35th annual U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at John Island’s Club in Vero Beach, Fla., October 3-8. Entries were open to amateur golfers who will have reached their 25th birthday on or before October 3, 2015, and who have a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4. The U.S. Mid-Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association.