WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (WOAY)- The West Virginia Amateur Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz returns to The Greenbrier, June 4-7, as the top amateur golfers from around the Mountain State gather at America’s Resort to compete for the title.
The 99th edition of the West Virginia Amateur Championship will be the 90th played at The Greenbrier and the first since 2016. Last year’s West Virginia Amateur had to be moved as The Greenbrier continued rebuilding efforts after the catastrophic floods of June 2016.
“There is a significant buzz around this year’s Amateur as it makes its return to The Greenbrier,” said Brad Ullman, Executive Director, West Virginia Golf Association. “The players, the staffs at The Greenbrier and the WVGA, volunteers and spectators are all excited to see The Old White TPC and The Meadows.”
A field of 114 golfers will begin play on the newly redesigned Meadows Course on June 4, marking the first time the West Virginia Amateur has been played on The Meadows, which features a new layout and signature stacked sod bunkers. Play moves to The Old White TPC, the home of The Greenbrier Classic, the annual PGA TOUR FedExCup stop in West Virginia, on June 5.
Following the opening 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 50 scores and ties, and play will move back to The Meadows on June 6. The final round will be contested on The Old White TPC on June 7.
“We couldn’t be more excited about having the West Virginia Amateur back at The Greenbrier where it belongs,” said Robert Harris, Vice President of Golf, The Greenbrier. “The West Virginia Golf Association is a fantastic organization, and we’re proud to lend our support to this wonderful annual tradition. Our Director of Golf Maintenance Kelly Shumate, a 10-time West Virginia Amateur participant himself, and his team of golf course superintendents have both courses in perfect tournament condition.”
The top 15 finishers from the 2017 West Virginia Amateur, as well as the top 15 amateurs from the 2017 West Virginia Open, automatically qualified for the 2018 West Virginia Amateur, as did the 2018 Junior Match Play champion, the 2018 Senior Open low amateur, the 2017 Mid-Amateur champion, the 2018 Senior Amateur champion, the 2017 Senior Amateur Stroke Play champion, the 2017 Senior Series gross champion, the 2018 Wendy’s Amateur Tour Player of the Year and the 2017 Junior Amateur Champion. The rest of the field was determined during six qualifying events throughout the state.
This year’s field includes five past West Virginia Amateur champions, who have combined for 24 titles – Pat Carter (13), Harold Payne (5), Sam O’Dell (3), Steve Fox (2) and Brian Anania (1). Playing together in the opening round with a noon tee time are O’Dell, the defending West Virginia Amateur champion, Payne, the 2017 Senior Amateur champion and Mason Williams, the 2017 Junior Amateur champion.
“With the commitment from Mercedes-Benz and The Greenbrier, the 2018 West Virginia Amateur will be the best one yet,” said Ullman. “It will be a great way to set the tone as we look ahead to the centennial championship in 2019.”
Spectators are welcome and are encouraged to park at the Train Lot across the street from The Greenbrier’s main entrance and take a shuttle to The Golf Club.
For pairings, results and more information on the 99th West Virginia Amateur Championship, visit www.wvga.org/west-virginia-amateur.
