Knowles Paces Amateur Qualifying For Ryder Cup

After losing last year's Highlands County Ryder Cup competition to the pro team by a decisive margin, some of the best amateur's in the county tried to qualify for this year's event on Saturday at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

The one-day, 18-hole stroke play competition was held on the demanding, 6,500-yard par 72 Deer Run course, with 22 players competing for 12 spots.

Greg Knowles, who has competed in this unique event eight times, as both a professional and an amateur, led the way with an even-par 72.

Knowles, who is very accurate off the tee and with his irons, carded nines of 37-35, which included three birdies.

"I was pleased with my round," said Knowles, who regained his amateur status several years ago. "I hit the ball pretty solid and kept it in play, which is very important on this course.

"The course was set up very fair and the greens were fast and rolling true."

The professionals won last year, but the amateurs still lead the overall series 9-3-1.

Knowles, who was selected as the amateur captain as medalist, thinks the amateur team has a good chance to reclaim the coveted Ryder Cup from the professional squad.

"We were missing some key players last year, but the pros played well and deserved to win," Knowles said. "This year, most of the top amateurs tried to qualify and I think we have a pretty solid group of players to choose from.

"The Ryder Cup is a fun event to participate in and we all enjoy getting together to play some competitive golf for two days."

Well known player Mike Browning placed second in Saturday's qualifying with a 2-over-par 74, which included a bogey, double-bogey start to his round.

"I struggled the first few holes," said the former Major League Baseball player. "But I was able to settle down and make a couple of birdies.

"The Sun 'N Lake staff did a great job of setting the course up with some interesting pin placements and assistant professional Andy Kesling did a great job of running the event."

Ryan Magnuson, another experienced Ryder Cup participant, shot a 76, Frank Guglielmi carded a 77, Dick Butler came in with a 78, as did Mike Wells and Mike Moore.

Gary Williams fired a 79, Mike Shawver came in with an 80 and Dana Harris finished with an 81.

Jim Casey, who shot an 81, is the first alternate, while Jeff Gaddy, who won last week's Sportsmen Association Charity Open at Harder Hall Country Club, is the second alternate, after shooting an 82.

"We had a lot of fun today and I think the course was set up to where it was fair for everyone," said Knowles. "The greens were in great shape and held the approach shots well.

"We have a lot of good players on the team and it should be a lot of fun."

The Ryder Cup is being held at Sun 'N Lake Country Club on Nov. 15-16, with the first day being the four-ball competition in the morning and alternate-shot in the afternoon.

The final day is all singles matches.

"We're really looking forward to competing against the pros," Knowles said. "It's a friendly competition, but both sides want to win.

"We've got a few weeks to get our games in shape because we know the pros will be looking to keep the cup for another year."