Schneider Advances to Quarterfinals at U.S. Mid-Amateur; 3 Others Miss Cut

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  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the first playoff hole during his Round of 16 match Tuesday at the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Birmingham, Matt Schneider defeated Craig Smith to advance to the quarterfinals.

During the first two rounds of stroke play, Schneider, Grand Rapids, Minn., finished at 5-over par 146 in a tie for 32nd place to advance to the match play portion of the tournament.

In his opening match Monday, Schneider squared off with Jonathan Jackson, Chapel Hill, N.C., and needed 19 holes to advance to the Round of 32.

Schneider faced Arnold Cutrell, Greensburg, Pa., Tuesday, and cruised to a 7 and 5 victory to advance to the Round of 16.

In his second match of the day, Schneider then faced Craig Smith, Springfield, Tenn., taking control of the match early and kept the lead until three consecutive bogeys squared the match after 18 holes.

Schneider won the match on the first playoff hole as he made par and Smith bogeyed.

In quarterfinal action Wednesday, Schneider will face Bill Williamson, Cincinnati, Ohio, at 7:45 a.m. at the Country Club of Birmingham.

The semifinal matches will begin following the conclusion of the quarterfinal round Wednesday, with the final match scheduled for Thursday.

Troy Johnson, Maple Grove, Minn., carded a 4-over par 74 Saturday during the opening round at the Country Club of Birmingham’s East Course before shooting a 5-over par 76 Sunday on the West Course.

He would finish tied for 87th at 9-over 150, missing the cut for match play.

Johnson won the Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Players Championship at Island View Golf Club in June and also won the 2010 MGA Mid-Amateur. Johnson has qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur three times (2013, 2011, 2006).

Tony Daffer, Eden Prairie, Minn., finished 236th at 22-over par 163, missing the cut for match play while Topher Baron, Duluth, Minn., also missed the cut after finishing tied for 237th at 23-over par 164.


For complete tournament results go to: http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScoringIndex.aspx?eid=17179869327&year=2013&id=21474852963