Area golfers qualify for State Amateur

Several area golfers took advantage of a rare windless day and comfortable playing conditions to post qualifying scores at Wednesday's Missouri Golf Association State Amateur Qualifier held at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Ben Crancer of Kirkwood, Mo., who just finished his freshman year at Texas A&M, scorched the par-72 layout with a 6-under 66 to place first in the event, which sends the top 13 finishers on to the Missouri Amateur Championship June 18-23 at Blue Hills CC in Kansas City.

Local golfers qualifying include Cape Girardeau's Kent Phillips, who shot a 3-over 75.

Phillips was particularly pleased with his score on the 7,389-yard layout.

"Very much so," he said. "Especially since I started out with a triple bogey [on the first hole]. That means I played the last 17 holes in even-par, so I'm very happy to come in there."

Phillips said Wednesday was probably the calmest day weather-wise he's seen the past few weeks.

"The greens were really quick, so you had to pay attention on putts. And the tees were set up to where you could make a choice to play aggressively or conservatively."

Checking in with a 4-over 76 was Travis Simmons, who will be a senior at Central High School in the fall.

"I missed a couple of short putts," Simmons said. "All in all, it's still just a qualifier. A decent score will get you through [to the next round]. You've got to be happy with it if it gets you through to the next tournament. That's why this is so important."

Simmons, who chipped in from the back of the green for a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, also liked the conditions on the course, which was innundated with rain last week but rebounded in spectacular fashion.

"The greens were absolutely phenomenal," he said. "They had a good pace. They were quick. I like that."

Jackson's Jack Litzelfelner, who won the boys state Class 3 individual title this past season as a freshman at Notre Dame, posted a 5-over 77. He made the turn at 1-over 37, but three consecutive double-bogeys mired his back-nine score.

Travis Simmons shot a 4-over 76 and is one of 13 players to advance from Wednesday’s State Amateur Qualifier. (Adam Vogler)

"I think it could've been better," he noted. "There really wasn't much wind, and it was dry. The greens were really fast."

Jason Buskohl, who is from Chester but is a member at Dalhousie, shot 7-over 79 and placed 12th.

Jack Connell, director of golf at the club, said nearly every player commented on the shape and playability of the course.

"It was very fair and very fun," Connell said.

Jack Litzelfelner III watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the 2013 Missouri Amateur Championship Qualifying Wednesday at Dalhousie Golf Club. Litzelfelner shot a 5-over 77. (Adam Vogler)

Players whose scores did not make the qualifying cut have one last chance to gain a spot in the State Amateur. A last-chance qualifier will be held Monday, June 10 at Oak Meadow CC in Rolla, Mo.