Three Iowans competed at the United States Mid-Amateur Championship held at Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff, AZ. Gene Elliott, Mike McCoy and Joe Palmer, all of West Des Moines, represented the state very well and showed golfers from around the nation that amateur golf in Iowa is very strong.
Elliott made it to the quarterfinals before being ousted by 2005 U.S. Mid-Am Runner-Up Carlton Forrester 1 up. By advancing to the quarterfinals, Elliott will be exempt from local qualifying into next year's U.S. Mid-Am at Bandon Dunes.
McCoy, who made it to the semifinals of last year's U.S. Mid-Am, was defeated in the round of 16 by Alan Bratton of Stillwater, OK. Bratton made back-to-back birdies on 9 and 10 to seize control of the match and, with a par on the 15th, defeated McCoy 4 & 3. A trip to the semifinals carries a two-year exemption from local qualifying, which means both McCoy and Elliott will be in the field at the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Palmer also competed at the championship but failed to qualify for match play after shooting rounds of 76-75 to finish at 8-over 151.
Elliott advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3 & 2 victory over Gregory Hunt of St. George, Utah. He defeated Jason Bittick of Coto de Caza, CA by a total of 5 & 3 in round one and took out Rick Reinsberg of Santa Barbara, CA in round two. McCoy prevailed in his first match with a par on the 19th hole against Rob McIver of Phoenix, AZ and defeated Skip Berkmeyer of St. Louis on the 21st hole in round two.
Click the links below to review how each match played out.
Visit the Official Site of the U.S. Mid-Am to follow the action
GENE ELLIOTT MIKE MCCOY
First Round Match First Round Match
Round Two Match Round Two Match
Round Three Match Round Three Match