The best college players, 150 in all, from as far away as South Africa, started in the 118th Men’s North and South Amateur. Now only two remain to play for the sought after Putter Boy trophy tomorrow on famed Pinehurst No. 2 and earn the right to see their name on a bronze plaque in the Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse.
The winner will join a list of notable professionals such as Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, Hal Sutton and Curtis Strange.
The tournament began on Pinehurst No. 8 last Saturday with 65 players trying to qualify for 8 spots to move on to the full field of 93 and play the championship course Monday and Tuesday.
Only the best 32 advanced to mid-week, head-to-head elimination rounds. On Friday morning, Schlottman, a Senior at Auburn University from Andance, N.C. and Mitchell of Rice University, will square off in a winner-take-all match and bragging rights to the longest consecutively running amateur golf championship in the country.
“We will be live-streaming the championship match in progress beginning around 8 a.m Friday” said Brian Fahey, Director of Tournament Operations, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club “If you can’t make it to No. 2 – the public is welcome free of charge – please watch the final on the Pinehurst Resort Facebook page”.
Article and photos by John Patota, Sandhills Sentinel Contributor.
