Garrett Morrison defeated Duke Butler 2 & 1 in the final match to take home the title of the 27th Mid-Amateur Championship held at Coral Creek Club in Placida.

Morrison, of Orlando, defeated Doug Snoap, of Apopka, 1 up in the morning semifinal match to advance to the finals. Duke Butler, of Ponte Vedra Beach, defeated Jeronimo Esteve, of Miami, 4 & 2 in the semifinal match to also advance to the finals.

Meeting in the finals, Morrison, the 2008 State Amateur runner-up, got off to a hot start against Butler. Going 5-under through six holes with three birdies and an eagle, Morrison started with a commanding lead. “The start set the tone for the rest of the day,” said Morrison. Exchanging jabs from holes 6 through 13, Morrison birdied the 13th hole to take a 4-up lead with five holes to play. “It was just a matter of holding on at that point,” Morrison explained. On number 15, trying to end the match, Morrison was pumped with adrenaline and flew his 8-iron over the green, failing to get up-and-down and going dormie on the match. On 16, his bad luck continued, hitting into the bunker on his drive and losing another hole to Butler. With a two-up lead with two holes left to play, Morrison parred 17 and could only watch as Butler lined up his putt for a birdie chance to extend the match. When Butler’s putt hung on the high side of the cup, Morrison claimed victory. “I’d like to say a big thank-you to Orange Tree Country Club in Orlando, and a special thank-you to Tom Burnett, my coach. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Morrison explained. This is Morrison’s first State Championship title.

To be eligible for the State Mid-Amateur, participants must be 25 years of age or older. More than 370 entries were received for this year’s Championship. Participants qualified in an 18-hole stroke play format to advance to the Championship. Playing Coral Creek Club, the Championship consisted of 36-holes of stroke play qualifying on Thursday and Friday with the low 32 advancing to the match play on Saturday and Sunday.

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