Schmitz Keeps Rolling, Advances to Semifinals at U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship

  VERO BEACH, Fla. – Minnesotan Sammy Schmitz sank his birdie putt on the 15th hole Wednesday to clinch his quarterfinal match against Joshua Irving, 4 and 3, to advance to the semifinals of the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at John’s Island Club.

Schmitz, Farmington, Minn., now faces Brad Wilder, Fort Wright, Ky., during the semifinals Wednesday, scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.

Taking advantage of two early bogeys by Irving, Schmitz took a quick 2-up lead during his quarterfinal match Wednesday, increasing his lead to 3-up after another bogey by Irving at the 11th.

A double-bogey by Schmitz at the par-4 12th narrowed his lead to 2-up, but he would bounce back by dropping his birdie chance at the par-3 13th hole.

Rolling in his second birdie of the back nine at the 15th, Schmitz clinched the match, 4 and 3, to move on to the semifinals.

Schmitz has now reached match play in each of his three appearances at the national event. He was eliminated during the opening round in 2011 before advancing to the Round of 32 in 2012.

With three Minnesota Golf Association Player of the Year honors already to his credit, Schmitz earned his fourth award over the past five seasons by posting seven top-5 finishes in 2015.

The winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship earns an exemption to the 2016 Masters Tournament, April 7-10 at Augusta National Golf Club.


For complete tournament results go to: www.usga.org/championships/2015/u-s--mid-amateur/scoring.html