Branton earns spot in USGA Mid-Amateur Championship

Local golfer Chad Branton has earned a spot in the 2019 U.S.G.A. Mid-Amateur Championship to be held September 14-19 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, CO and CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, CO.

The stroke play portion of the 39th Mid-Amateur Championship will be held on both courses with the match play portion moving to Colorado Golf Club. A starting field of 264 competitors will play 36 holes to determine the low 64 qualifiers for match play. The stroke play rounds are Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15. The Round of 64 in match play will be Monday, September 16. Rounds two and three of match play are Tuesday, September 17 with the quarterfinals and semifinals set for Wednesday, September 18.

The 36-hole Championship Match will be held Thursday, September 19.

The United States Mid-Amateur Championship is open to any amateur golfer who has reached their 25th birthday as of September 14 and whose USGA Handicap Index does not exceed 3.4.

Colorado Golf Club, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened in 2007 and has previously hosted the 2010 Senior PGA Championship and the 2013 Solheim Cup.

Over 4,750 players entered sectional qualifying for the national championship at 65 sites around the country.

Branton fired a 2-under-par 70 in 18-hole qualifying August 12 at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw to earn one of six spots available at that qualifier among a field of 132 golfers. Matthew Hayes, Michael Pearson, and Timothy Schaetzel shot 68 to tie for medalist at Pinetree. Bryan Jones had a 69 to finish fourth, while Taylor Smith took the sixth spot with a 71. Raymond Wooten and Matt Bernstein are alternates after also finishing with 71s.

Branton is a Bartow County resident and member at Cartersville Country Club.