Branton remains in contention at Mid-Am

Cartersville golfer, Chad Branton, will be in the final group Sunday and paired with the co-leaders as the 2015 Georgia State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship concludes at Marietta Country Club.

Branton, who fired an even par 70 Saturday, is two shots back of co-leaders Jack Hall of Savannah and Christian Raynor of Kennesaw.

Hall shot a 3-under 67 Saturday to move into a tie for the lead. Raynor fired a 1-under 69 to go with his 68 from Friday.

Hall made birdie on four of his first five holes Saturday and seven birdies in the round. Raynor made bogey on three of his first four holes Saturday, but recovered with five birdies on the day.

Branton started his Saturday round on hole number 10 and made bogey at holes 11 and 18. A birdie at the par-5 14th hole gave him a 1-over total on his opening nine. He then made birdies on holes 3 and 4 to go with a bogey on the par-5 8th to finish with a 1-under 34 on his second nine and an even par round for the day.

Other local scores of interest include:

Cres Dodd (T8, +3, 71-72)

Chris Hall (T20, +6, 75-71)

Scott Davenport (T32, +8, 77-71)

Jayce Stepp (T71, +14, 79-75)

Winston Morris (MC, 78-79)

Clay Heath (MC, 77-80)

The 2015 GSGA Mid-Am concludes Sunday at the 6793-yard, par-70 Marietta Country Club.

Three former Georgia Mid-Amateur champions have made the cut and will play in Sunday's final round. Cameron Hooper of Atlanta (winner in 2013) sits at 4-over-par 144 (73-71); Doug Hanzel of Savannah (winner in 2004) posted a 3-over-par 143 (76-67); and Rusty Strawn of McDonough (winner in 1993) recorded a 13-over-par 153 (79-74).

Entries were open to male amateur golfers who were a GSGA member, Georgia resident and age 25 or older as of May 15. A total of 407 players entered this year's championship. There are 28 exempt players competing this weekend. The remaining 116 spots were filled by the entrants who competed in one of six, 18-hole qualifiers that took place statewide in March and April.