It’s already been an exciting year on the links for the Morgan family.
After all, Bryce Morgan capped his Boone Central high school career this past spring by qualifying for his third state tournament appearance, then won his first state medal in the Class C Championships at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney.
Last week, 2009 got just a bit better as Bryce’s father Doug qualified for the Nebraska State Amatuer Championships – ironically, on the same course that Bryce won his high school state medal.
Doug Morgan was one of 23 to qualify in the Kearney sectional tournament Wednesday, July 8, placing 15th over the 18-hole, par-72 Meadowlark layout with a round of 75. He will be one of 144 golfers vieing for the 2009 Nebraska Amatuer title July 21-24 at Ironwood Golf & Country Club in Omaha.
Of course, golf success is nothing new for the Morgan family. Doug’s daughter Betsy was a district champion in 2005 and three-time state tournament medalist, placing fifth in ‘05. Doug had a successful high school career himself, winning three district medals and qualifying for the state tourney twice.
This will actually be Doug’s second appearance in the state amatuer tournament. He competed at Norfolk in 1996 when the field was chosen by submitted handicaps, missing the cut after 36 holes.
This was his first attempt at the tournament since the event went to a sectional qualifying format.
“I have thought about it many times,” Morgan commented last week. “I finally decided, as I’m getting a little older, I might not have too many more chances.”
A total of 111 golfers qualified for the 2009 championships in sectional tournaments held across the state last week. The other 33 positions in the field went to exempt entrants, such as past champions of the Nebraska Amatuer, Nebraska Match-Play, Nebraska Junior Amatuer, etc.
The Nebraska Amatuer is a 72-hole stroke play competition. The championship proper field of 144 will be cut to the low 54 scores and ties for the final two rounds.
Morgan will tee off his opening 18 holes Tuesday, July 21, at 2:20 p.m. He’s excited about the opportunity he’s earned.
“It should be a neat experience,” he stated. “It’s a course I’ve never played and there will be a lot of great golfers.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Morgan Qualifies For Nebraska Amatuer
