The Dogwood: Auburn's Michael Johnson leads loaded field
Michael Johnson
By Rory Sharrock
ATLANTA - When it comes to pageantry and
prestige in golf,
few states rival Georgia for its long-standing
luster of
excellence on the links.
In the pro game, Augusta National serves as
hallowed ground
with ‘a tradition unlike any other’. For
amateurs, one of the
sport’s crown-jewel events, The Dogwood
Invitational,
convenes in Atlanta, claiming residence at
Druid Hills Golf
Club.
This week, all eyes on the amateur circuit will
be focused on
this marquee tournament. The action gets
underway with
qualifying play on Monday. First-round action
tees off on
Wednesday and runs daily with the champion
being crowned
following Saturday’s final round.
Since its inception in 1941, The Dogwood
Invitational has
stood firm as a centerpiece for top-ranked
amateurs from
across the globe seeking to test their skills
amidst a
picturesque backdrop with a challenging course
layout and pin
location.
“The Dogwood Invitational’s field has a history
of representing
the best of the best amateur players,” said
Edward Toledano,
tournament chairman of The Dogwood
Invitational. “Each
year, we find the competition increases,
upping the players’
talent as well as their playing ability. Golfers
like these make
The Dogwood a key amateur tournament to
play in and
contribute to a long tradition of championship
golf.”
This year’s tournament features 83 players
from 14 states
with foreign representation from Australia and
New Zealand.
Leading the charge is defending champion,
Michael Johnson.
The senior from Auburn University established
a new record
with his performance last year, shooting 8-
under in the final
round and an overall total of 28-under. The
previous record
score was 23-under set by Andrew Buckle in
2002.
In addition to Johnson, the field is highlighted
by six other
competitors who are listed on Golf
Week/AmateurGolf.com’s
top-100 player rankings: Seth Reeves (Georgia
Tech), Chase
Koepka (University of South Florida), Anders
Albertson
(Georgia Tech), Billy Kennerly (Clemson
University) and Davin
White (Georgia State).
Recent Memorial Amateur champion Cameron
Champ (incoming
freshman at Texas A&M), Christopher Petefish
(Georgia Tech
freshman), and UNC’s Bailey Patrick should also
contend
following their recent hot play.
Competitors at The Dogwood Invitational will
play 72 holes of
stroke play stretching out to 6,850 yards with
a 54-hole cut
to low 40 and ties for the final round. For more
information on
the tournament, visit
thedogwood.co
m.
ABOUT THE Dogwood Invitational
Tournament week is June 6-11 at Druid Hills
Golf
Club
in
Atlanta, Georgia. The entry fee includes
breakfast
and lunch
tournament days as
well
as special events.
The history of this prestigious event extends
back to
1941, when legendary amateur Tommy Barnes
captured his first of five Dogwood titles.
Evolving
with
the times, the modern Dogwood has produced
fine
champions like Webb Simpson (’07), Brian
Harman
(’09), Dawson Armstrong (’15), and in 2019
Brandon
Mancheno. This
evolution can
be
seen also in our course renovations and set-up,
our
relaxed tournament atmosphere, and our spirit
of
social
responsibility.
Players are required to walk during tournament
play
and may carry their golf bag themselves (push
carts are
allowed) or take a caddie. Caddies may be
requested
in advance during registration, or players may
select
one on their own.
Player housing is provided on an as available
basis to
players only, caddies and traveling
companions are not
provided housing.
View Complete Tournament Information