Michael Hughett (Golf Oklahoma Photo)
Michael Hughett of Owasso, Okla., the 2018 and 2020 Dixie Senior Invitational Champion at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Spring, Fla., shot a first-round 3-under 69.
Hughett recorded Hughett was the only golfer in any division to break 70 in the opening round.
Rick Stimmel of Pittsburgh, Pa., is just one shot back of Hughett, recording a first-round 2-under 70 with four birdies, two bogeys, an eagle on hole No. 10, and a double bogey on the par-3 No. 17. Stimmel made his birdies all in a row, using his eagle on No. 10 to jump-start a run of four birdies on Holes No. 12, 13, 14, and 15.
Kevin VandenBerg of Naples, Fla., Mike Combs of Roswell, Ga., and Ken Wren of Suffolk, Va., all sit three shots back of Hughett at even-par.
Mid-Master Division
Tim Eckberg of Waynesville, N.C., the head golf coach of Western Carolina University, shot a first-round 2-under 70 to take the early lead in the Mid-Master Division. Eckberg had a roller coaster of a round, recording seven birdies, five bogeys, and six pars. Eckberg was the only golfer in the division to break par in the difficult first round.
Kevin Blaser of Somerset, Mass., is in solo second place at 1-over after recording three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Jason Lina of Alpharetta, Ga., and Andrew Smith of Oakland, Mich., are T3 at 2-over, and Michael Anderson of Novi, Mich., and Steve Nichols of East Lansing, Mich., are T5 at 4-over.
Super Senior Division
Tim Vigotsky of Palm City, Fla., was the only golfer to break par in the Super Senior Division after recording a round of 2-under 70 to lead by two shots over Steve Humphrey of Ocala, Fla., who shot an opening round of even-par 70.
2022 Super Senior Champion Terry Tyson of Perrysburg, Ohio and Jim Kilduff of West Palm Beach, Fla., are T3 at 1-over.
History
The Dixie Amateur originated in 1924 and was played at the old Miami Country Club. Florida has always been a golf destination, and the tournament always attracts a strong field of talented amateur players.
Early winners of the Dixie Amateur included Frank Stafaci, Earl Christianson, Frank Perpich, Al Besselink, Bill Hyndman III, and future Masters Champion Doug Ford. With the closing of the Miami Golf Club in 1953, the Dixie was discontinued until 1962.
The Dixie Amateur has been played continuously since 1962 at various courses in South Florida, including The Links at Key Biscayne and the Golf Club of Miami . During this time the tournament really began to attract the very best players in the United States and several players won before graduating to the PGA Tour. Champions include Andy Bean, Bruce Fleisher, Lanny Wadkins, Nolan Henke, Len Mattice, and Jesper Parnevik.
In 1990 the Dixie Amateur was moved to the Bonaventure Resort. During this time period, the tournament was moved to December and held during the Christmas break. This move allowed a greater number of collegiate golfers to participate and the strength of our field grew substantially.
In 1997 a senior division was created for players 55 years and older. This increased exposure and attracted an even stronger field of senior golfers. Steve Earsley of Stuart, Florida won the inaugural event and repeated as Champion in 1998.
In 2002, the women's division was added and has consistently attracted the finest female amateurs in the world. The inaugural women's champion, Meaghan Francella, narrowly defeated Paula Creamer, now an LPGA superstar. The 2007 women's champion, Lexi Thompson, became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament in 2011 at the age of 16.
The 2009 Dixie Amateur saw the addition of the first Senior Women’s Dixie Amateur Championship.
In 2011, ClubLink acquired the Dixie Amateur and put renewed emphasis on providing the best possible experience for all contestants. The women's, senior women's, and senior men's divisions are now played at two ClubLink properties: Palm Aire Country Club and TPC Eagle Trace.
In 2019, a Mid-Master division for players aged 40- 54 was added to the Senior tournament, allowing more players to experience the Dixie.