Mid-Amateur Championship

Round 2 Recap

WEATHER FORCES HALF THE FIELD TO FINISH SECOND ROUND OF LGA MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP ON SUNDAY MORNING; DEFENDING CHAMPION TOMMY BRENNAN LEADS AT 11-UNDER PAR

August 5, 2006 -- Tommy Brennan of Covington finished his second round on Saturday afternoon with a five-shot lead heading into Sunday's play at the 15th annual Louisiana Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship.  Half the field, however, will finish their second round on Sunday morning as the second rain delay in as many days prevented players from completing afternoon play.

At 1:30 p.m., severe lightening and thunderstorms rolled into the area and caused play to be suspended for three hours.  Play resumed at 4:30 p.m., but was eventually called for the day at 7:40 p.m. due to darkness.  Fifty-one players were still on the golf course and will complete their second round on Sunday morning when play resumes at 7:45 a.m. 

After the second round is completed, the field will be cut to the low 60 and ties.  The final round of the Championship will start approximately 45 minutes after the second round is completed.  Final round starting times will be determined once the cut has been made. 

Brennan, a four-time champion of this event (1995, 1996, 1997, and 2005), backed up his opening round 66 with a second round score of five-under par 67.  Brennan made three birdies on his opening nine at #4, 5, and 8 to go out in three-under par 33.  On his inward half, Brennan made birdies at #11 and 12 to cap of a bogey-free round.  Brennan stands at 11-under par 133 for the tournament.

Five back of Brennan heading into Sunday is the 2004 LGA Amateur Champion Garrett Prather.  Prather, a resident of Baton Rouge, tied Brennan for the low round of the tournament with a six-under par 66.  Starting his round on the tenth hole, Prather made birdies at #12, 14, and 17 before a bogey at #18 to make the turn in two-under par 34.  After pars at #1 and 2, Prather rolled off four straight birdies on #3, 4, 5, and 6 for a four-under par 32 on his second nine.  Prather stands at six-under par 138 for the tournament after an opening round score of 72. 

Mandeville's Mark Fair and Monroe's Doug Farr are six-shots back at five-under par 139.  Fair, who shot a first round score of 69, came back with a two-under par 70, while Farr shot a round of five-under par 67.

Other low scores through the first two rounds include: Rod Baronet, LeCompte (-4, 69--140); Gayle Sanchez, Baton Rouge (-3, 70--141); Chad Rittle, Covington (-3, 71--141); 2004 LGA Mid-Amateur Champion Jeff Calloway, Baton Rouge (-3, 71--141); Ben Wheeler (-2, 69-142); and George Cestia (-2, 70--142).

The University Club of Baton Rouge, a Jim Lipe-designed course, is hosting this year's event.   The University Club, which is home to the LSU Tiger Golf Team, has received rave reviews from this field of the best players over the age of 25 in the state. The course is playing to a par of 72 and just over 7,000 yards.