Woodard's Birthday Present: a Carolinas Mid-Am Trophy
Stephen Woodard (CGA photo)
Stephen Woodard of Charlotte, NC captured the 39th Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship hosted by McConnell Golf’s The Reserve Club in Pawleys Island, SC. Not able to play on his Friday due to the opening round being cancelled, Woodard bogeyed his opening hole of the tournament, "I played a practice round on Thursday and was excited to play on Friday, my birthday, so I was anxious after having to wait." The 46-year-old quickly rebounded by birding his next hole. Woodard started the final round one-shot off the lead, after an opening round three-under par, 69.
Woodard kick started his final round with an opening nine two-under 34. "I knew the second round was going to be a shootout, so I wanted to see how many birdies I could make." After hitting it in the water on his ninth hole, he made an up and down to save par to keep the momentum. "I was putting well all week so that helped with scoring." Woodard did not look at the leader board until his final hole. After leaving himself with a four footer on his final hole, the good putting week was solidified as he drained the eventual winning putt.
The first-time Carolinas Golf Association champion was thrilled about his win and added, "I grew up in Charlotte and have been playing in CGA events since I was 11 years old. This one means a lot to put my name on this trophy with a lot of great names."
Daniel Neveu of Pinehurst, NC and Thomas Owen of Fayetteville, NC finished tied for second at four-under par for the tournament. Neveu shot an opening round 68 and backed it up with a second round even-par, 72. Owen played his first 18 holes in one-over par but came out firing in his second round. Owen birdied three of his first four holes to start the day. After adding two more birdies, Owen finished the day with a five-under, 67 and a two round total of 140
Woodard also collects the trophy for finishing first in the 40+ Division. The CGA added a 40+ Division to the Mid-Amateur Championships this year.
The 39th Mid-Amateur Championship was shortened to 36 holes due to weather.
View results for Carolinas Mid-Amateur
ABOUT THE
Carolinas Mid-Amateur
The Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship format is
54 holes of
stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low
60 scores and
ties. Entry is open to any male golfer who has
reached his 30th
birthday, is a legal resident of North or South
Carolina, is a
member in good standing of a club which is a
member of the
Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has a current
USGA Handicap
Index® at a member club that does not exceed 7.4.
View Complete Tournament Information