Scott Harvey holds a commanding 36-hole lead
(CGA Photo)

While most of the field faltered in windy conditions and quick greens, Harvey posted an impressive five-under-par 67 to separate himself atop the leaderboard. Combined with his opening 68, Harvey holds a six-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round.

The North Carolina Mid-Amateur Championship is conducted at 54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, there is a cut to the low 60 scores and ties.

Despite battling an uncertain swing, the 2012 champion birdied all four of the par-5s at Willow Creek. "I actually hit it better yesterday," said Harvey, a property manager from Greensboro. "I got a lot of lucky breaks. I could have shot 75 today." Unsure where his misses would travel, Harvey played conservatively off the tee. Two additional birdies and a lone bogey completed his five-under total. "I am very happy with today's round," said Harvey, the top ranked amateur in the Carolinas.

Harvey's nearest competitor will face a six-stroke deficit. James Harris of Lillington carded his second consecutive subpar round (71-70--141) to enter the final 18 holes alone in second. Playing in the afternoon Saturday, Harris, 41, converted six birdies to offset four bogeys.

Ryan Sharpe also posted a two-under 70 to advance from T14 to T3. The 35-year-old from Greensboro was the only other player to post red figures Saturday. Sharpe is tied for third with the 2014 champion Joe Jaspers, 51, of Huntersville at one-under-par 143.

The 36-hole cutline fell at 14-over-par 158. Sixty-one players advanced to play in Sunday's final round, including 69-year-old Ernie Newton of Winston-Salem, the oldest player in the field. The lead group of Harvey, Harris, and Jaspers will start at 9:40 a.m. from the first tee.

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