Champions are back for 2011 WCMA

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on June 15, 2011 1:47 PM

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It's almost here. The 13th installment of the Wayne County Men's Amateur is less than four weeks away. Champions will be crowned in three divisions upon completion of the three-day, 54-hole event.

Play begins July 8 at Lane Tree Golf Club. Golfers travel to Southern Wayne Country Club for second-round play, and the third round will be contested on the picturesque Walnut Creek CC links.

Lane Tree renovated its greens from bentgrass to Tiff Champion Bermuda, which will undoubtedly provide a formidable putting surface this year. According to reports from county pros, Southern Wayne and Walnut Creek's courses are in great shape to play host to the annual event.

Four-time Open champion Jonathan Burke is ineligible to defend his title. The Barton College alum has turned professional by entering the Apprentice Program of the PGA of America.

Former two-time WCMA title holder Lionel Sutton is expected to contend for the Open crown. Sutton, who spent time on lower-tier PGA circuits, won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Dane Jones and Stan Adams should challenge Sutton, along with former prep state champion Eric Williams.

Don Garris will attempt to defend his Senior title. Garris shot a three-day total of 215 a year ago, and recorded consecutive below-par rounds on the first two days. Robert Brown, Ben King and Mario Contreras each shared second place, finishing four strokes back.

King shot a third-round 68.

In Super Senior play, golfers will chase 2010 champ Charlie Waters. Waters earned below-par scores the first two days, and fashioned a 54-hole score of 211 -- 12 strokes better than runner-up Joe McLamb.

McLamb won the WCMA in 2008.

Nearly 150 golfers will tee up and vie for prizes. The title sponsor for the Amateur is Kenny Moore, founder of Andy's Cheeseburgers and Cheesesteaks. Moore is a Mount Olive College alum and is enshrined in the school's athletics Hall of Fame.