Brumlow T18, Branton T48 after opening round of 2020 GSGA Amateur Championship

Rising Cartersville senior and University of Georgia commit Buck Brumlow is tied for 18th place following Friday’s opening 18 holes of the 99th Georgia State Golf Association Amateur Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Brumlow fired a 1-over-par 72 and trails co-leaders Steve Kibare of Canton and Deven Patel of Johns Creek by four shots. The leading duo both shot 3-under-par 68 in the opening round. Chad Branton, also a Cartersville native, shot an opening round 76 and is tied for 48th place heading into Saturday’s second round on the Highlands Course at AAC.

Brumlow, who has a 7:48 a.m. starting time on Saturday, shot a 1-under-par 34 on the front nine Friday with a birdie at the par-3 fourth hole. He added birdies on holes 12 and 16 but struggles on 13 and 15 led to an inward 38 and a 72 total on the par-71 course.

Branton, who will have a late start Saturday at 2:12 p.m., carded no birdies Friday and finished with bogies on holes 1, 8, 10, 12, and 16 for his 76.

Typically a 72-hole event, the 2020 State Amateur is being conducted as a 54-hole event. Following Saturday’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties for Sunday’s final round.