Dusty Drenth (left) and J.D. Anderson (right) earned the two U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying spots at Davenport Country Club on Monday. Both players posted 72 (+1), two clear of the next best finishers.

Drenth’s day included five birdies, while Anderson made just three birdies but also had 13 pars.

The 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur will use both Capital City Club (Atlanta) and Atlanta National Golf Club (Milton) in Georgia for stroke play qualifying into match play, Oct. 7-12.  Match play will be contested over the Crabapple Course at Capital City Club.

The IGA Player of the Year race will once again come down to how players finish at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. Anderson, with his medalist performance at Davenport CC, leads Gene Elliott, who also has qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur, by 260 points. Both players can earn bonus points if they qualify into match play and for additional match wins.

Anderson, Drenth and Elliott, will join Iowa’s Mike McCoy and Jay Gregory at the championship in Georgia.

Click here to see a recap of scores from Davenport CC.

Click here to view more information on the national championship.

Iowa’s Gene Elliott (pictured above), following stroke play qualifying scores of 77-69, earned the #15 seed into match play at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship being contested at The Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minn.

In his opening round match, Elliott got off to a quick lead and never looked back, dispatching Virginia’s Patrick Tallent 6&4.

In the Round of 32 Elliott raced out to another quick lead, 3 up through 7 holes, on Keith Decker (Virginia). Holding a 3 up lead through 13 holes, Elliott would see his lead dwindle to all square (AS) through 16 holes. Decker would ultimately win the 18th hole to win the match 1 up.

Click here to see recap from the event.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL LEADERBOARD

Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington certainly provided a U.S. Open-like test on Monday, May 15, for the 64 competitors who teed it up at the local qualifier.

In the end, four players advanced to the sectional stage. Michael Wuertz, a professional from Davenport, was the medalist with a two under-par 70. Next was amateur Andrew O’Brien and professional Michael Roters, who fashioned even-par 72. The fourth and final qualifying spot went to Lamoni’s Matt Mickelson (pro), who won a three-way playoff ­– after almost ending the playoff on the first hole (#1) by hitting it to within inches for a tap-in birdie.

Wuertz (pcitured) admitted he had a few first tee jitters when teeing it up this morning.

“I was pretty nervous on the first tee,” Wuertz said. “This was my first competitive round in a few months.”

Even with nerves battling him before the round, Wuertz got off to a nice start in the first three holes.

I birdied #10 and #12,” Wuertz said. “But then bogies three of my next four. I just tried to hang in there and turn it around. It was a solid round. You just have to keep your head down and limit your mistakes. I had four bogies, but also had six birdies. Moving forward is important when playing in tough conditions like this.””

First and second alternates, who joined Mickelson in the playoff for the final qualifying spot, went to Trent Lindenman (New Sharon) and J.D. Anderson (Johnston), respectively.  Lindeman was eliminated after Mickelson made birdie on the third play off hole (both players parred the second play off hole, #18), while Anderson’s par on the first sent him back to the clubhouse.

Competitors faced a golf course that stretched over 7,300 yards with thick Bluegrass rough, which presented difficult recovery shots for those who didn’t find the fairway.

“It was tough out there,” Wuertz said of the course. “I thought 70 was a safe number no matter what and not have to worry at all. I am glad I didn’t have to sweat it out. I was able to get up and down most of the day when I did miss a green. I even used the same all day long.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL LEADERBOARD