Heath Myers wins 40th Oklahoma Mid-Amateur in dominant fashion
Heath Myers (Oklahoma Golf Association Photo)
Heath Myers, hailing from Kingfisher, Oklahoma, clinched the 2024 Oklahoma Mid-Amateur title with an impressive two days of golf at Winter Creek Golf and Social Club.
Myers shot rounds of 73 and 68 to secure the win by four strokes, the only player in the field to finish under par. Eric Fox of Weatherford, Oklahoma, finished in 2nd with rounds of 74-71, to finish at one over for the tournament.
Winter Creek proved to be a formidable opponent.
"That golf course has trouble lurking everywhere. It gives you some birdie opportunities, but there is always something lingering on every tee shot," Myers reflected. After getting off to a rocky start in Monday’s first round, Myers bounced back to move to one under through 17, before making his lone double bogey on the weekend. He remained unfazed, noting, "I wasn't too upset because everyone is going to have one of those holes on this golf course."
Teeing off on Tuesday outside of the final group, Myers began his first round with birdies on the 1st, 5th, and 7th holes, making the turn at 3-under par.
"Sometimes that's good (playing because you can get something going. If that last group is already into match play amongst themselves, and you don’t get caught up in that, you can make a run," he explained. His strategy certainly paid off as he posted a final round 68, the round of the tournament by three strokes.
"I told myself I wasn't going to look at the scoreboard today," he said. It wasn’t until he reached the 18th hole, after getting through some of the course’s toughest shots, that he finally allowed himself a glance. Any lingering doubts vanished when he saw the four-shot lead he had amassed.
"That was obviously a relief," he admitted. "You kinda get lost out there. Just focus on every shot… I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, and just made it pretty easy on myself.”
The victory gets him into the 110th Oklahoma Open, which will be played August 22 -24 at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Also on Myers's upcoming schedule are three pro-scratch tournaments with his brother-in-law, professional golfer Charles Howell III: The Oak Tree National Pro-Scratch in September, a Pros & Joes Pro-Scratch in Cabo in December, and a pro-scratch event at Howell III’s home course in January.
This victory marks Myers' second Oklahoma Mid-Amateur title, adding to a string of wins in OGA events and an impressive 15 club championships.
Myers is certainly invested in his own golf game, but as a father of three boys, the family stays busy with the handful of athletic commitments– and he couldn't be happier.
“My parents weren't golfers, but they were athletes, and whatever we wanted to do they immersed us in it… You obviously didn't realize it at the time, but now being a father, you want to do the same for your kids and you realize how much of a sacrifice it is.”
Myers is a family man first, and now the newest Oklahoma Mid-Amateur champion.
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ABOUT THE
Oklahoma Mid-Amateur
Open to amateurs who are 25 years of age or older,
residents of Oklahoma and members of the OGA.
Format is 36 holes of stroke play.
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