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The Amateur Players Tour started off the 2023-2024 Major season with a trip south to Mississippi to the 2UNDR Mississippi Open at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, located just outside of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Nicknamed “The Augusta You Can Play”, Dancing Rabbit did not disappoint with its beautiful scenery and simplistic design featuring large white sand bunkers that brilliantly framed each hole on the golf course. The greens were firm and fast, testing each of the top amateurs from their respective divisions.
The tournament would begin with a bang, with New Jersey/Philadelphia member Daniel Kennelly hitting a hole-in-one on the 3rd hole at the Oaks course early during round 1 on Saturday. As a member of the Blue Tees Hole In One Club, Kennelly took home the $500 cash prize plus a Blue Tees Rangefinder.
In Division 1, Nathan Frazier (Atlanta) got off to a hot start, firing an even-par 72 on the Oaks course on a day where scores would be high across the board, sleeping on a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round at the difficult Azaleas course. Sunday’s final round would prove to be a volatile day, where many players struggled, but big moves could be made up the leaderboard. Andrew Echard (Utah) shot a 6-over 78 to build on his opening round 73 for a 5-shot victory over Charles Hartley (Atlanta), who finished in solo 2nd place with rounds of 74-81 155. Tyler Sipes (Kentucky) overcame a disappointing 83 in round 1 with the low round of the day on Sunday with a 73 to climb 8 spots into 3rd place with a 2-day total of 83-73 156.
In Division 2, Ronnie Averett (Mississippi) played solid both days and found himself with a lead after a birdie on the par-5 17th on Sunday, needing a par on the difficult 18th hole at Azaleas to secure the victory. He navigated the long and treacherous hole under pressure, securing his par and his first victory on the Amateur Players Tour, shooting rounds of 78-81 159 to earn a one-shot victory over Matthew Bankston (Mississippi). Bankston played solid all weekend, shooting rounds of 83-77 160 to finish 1 shot back of Averett. Tom McMurdy (Birmingham), finished in 3rd place with rounds of 82-80 162, while Don Manuel (Birmingham) took home 4th place honors with rounds of 81-82 163.
In Division 3, Jason Harbin (Birmingham) narrowly missed winning at Dancing Rabbit last December and would make the most of his opportunity this time around. His rounds of 83-81 would be good enough to earn him a 4-shot victory, over Matt Miller (Charlotte). Miller shot rounds of 86-82 to take home 2nd place honors. Pat Ryan (Houston) and Simay Souvannarath (St. Louis) finished tied for 3rd place, just one shot back of Miller with 2-day totals of 169.
In Division 4, 36 holes would not be enough to crown a champion, as Danny Daniel (Birmingham) and Brian Sanders (Birmingham) would both shoot 2-day totals of 178. After a playoff hole, where the players tied and with darkness looming on the day after the time change, both players decided to split their winnings in a great display of sportsmanship. 3rd place went to Jeff Corder (Arkansas), who shot rounds of 94-85 179 to finish just one shot out of the playoff, while Jonathan Hunt (Atlanta) finished in 4th place with rounds of 84-96 180.
In Division 5, Sunday’s final round started with a 3-way tie after opening rounds of 95 by Don Hamblett (Birmingham), Todd Gober (Birmingham) and Doug Gibbs (Atlanta). Sunday would belong to Don Hamblett, who shot a 94 to pull away from the other first round leaders, finishing with a 2-day total of 189 to earn a 3-shot victory. Trey Horrell (Memphis) took down 2nd place honors, matching Hamblett’s 2nd round 94 to move up into solo 2nd position with a 2-day total of 192. 3rd place honors went to James Sims (Maryland) and Jim Seibert (St. Louis), who finished with 2-day totals of 195.
In the new Open Net division, players under 50 had the opportunity to “double-dip” and play in an additional net division. First round leader Tyler Tressler (Memphis) shot a 3-under par round to take the early lead, and then held on with a 76 to earn a one-shot victory over Jason Harbin (Birmingham). Third place went to Matt Miller (Charlotte), who’s even-par round of 72 on Sunday vaulted him up the leaderboard. Tyler Sipes (Kentucky), shot a net 71 on Sunday to move into 4th place and round out the money.
In the Senior Net division, Danny Daniel (Birmingham) fired a final round 69 to earn a one-shot victory at +2 over Charles Hartley (Atlanta) and Don Hamblett (Birmingham). Pat Ryan (Houston) finished in 4th place at +5, while Ernie Blankenship (Birmingham) finished at +6 in 5th place. Brian Buchanan (Arkansas) and Jim Seibert (St. Louis) finished tied for 6th at +7, while Verl Seger (Kansas City) finished in 8th place at +8. Jonathan Hunt (Atlanta) rounded out the money in 9th position, shooting +9 for the weekend.
Overall, 99 players from 22 chapters around the country teed it up at the 2UNDR Mississippi Open at Dancing Rabbit. Players competed for a $9,000 prize pool paid out exclusively in VISA Gift Cards, with over $5,000 being won in optional skins games and side contests. The tour’s next stop is the Myrtle Beach Holiday Classic at True Blue and Caledonia in Pawley’s Island, SC December 2nd-3rd.
