Franklin's Steven Mann hits an approach shot into the 18th green at Saturday's U.S. Senior Amateur
photo by Ted Pio Roda/USGA
Steven Mann was well aware of the stifling Texas summer weather awaiting him in San Antonio for this week’s 70th U.S. Senior Amateur. With temperatures in the upper 90s as he teed off Saturday afternoon in his first round of stroke play qualifying, the Franklin resident delivered plenty of heat of his own.
Starting his round at Oak Hills Country Club’s tenth hole, Mann birdied three of his first six holes to quickly move to 3-under. Bogeys at Nos. 16 and 5 bookended a stretch of six pars, and Mann picked up one more birdie at No. 7 to finish his round at 2-under 69, joining three others tied for 3rd.
Mann will get a reprieve from the heatwave on Sunday with a 9 a.m. CDT tee time in hopes of earning a spot among the 64 finishers who will advance to Monday’s match play bracket. This is Mann’s second straight U.S. Senior Amateur appearance after falling in the Round of 64 last year at The Honors Course.
The outcome wasn’t as favorable for the other three Tennessee golfers competing in the event. Franklin’s Billy Green finished with bogeys on three of his last four holes to post a 6-over 77, good for a tie in 86th place.
Nashville’s Arnold Cunningham recorded an open round 7-over 78 to land among a group tied for 100th. After struggling to a 41 on his opening nine, Cunningham shot an impressive 37 over his final nine.
Beau Fields of Brentwood is tied for 131st following his first round of 9-over 80.
English Senior Men’s Open champion John Kemp took advantage of the cooler conditions by posting a 4-under 67, leading by one over Mike Finster of St. Petersburg, Fla. Kemp was a co-medalist last year at The Honors Course with a 2-under 142.
For complete results, go to U.S. Senior Amateur.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com