Bendetti Leads Texas Mid-Amateur

(Boerne, TX) One hundred and thirty-two players found
themselves in a battle of attrition as the opening round of the Texas Mid-Amateur
Championship got underway today at Cordillera Ranch. The Nicklaus designed
course, which opened in 2006, provided a stunning backdrop for this year’s
championship as it welcomed the players with immaculate course conditions and
beautiful hill country scenery. Not to give way to the players too early in the
championship, the course played tough for many as fast greens and gusty winds
provided challenges to the players throughout most of the day. With only one
score falling under par and a scoring average of 81.1, Cordillera Ranch is
giving the players a true test of championship golf.

Defending 2012 Texas Mid-Amateur Champion, John Bearrie,
began his repeat journey with a strong opening round of two over par, 74. Bearrie
jumpstarted his round with a birdie on the par-4 tenth hole and added a second
birdie on the twelfth before carding back-to-back bogeys to head into the back
nine at even par. An up and down back nine which included five bogeys and three
birdies places Bearrie in a tie for fifth heading into tomorrow’s second round.
“The greens were very fast”, Bearrie stated “but the wind was the primary reason
that it became so difficult to score. Getting the ball in the fairway is critical
for me and if I can do that I have a good shot.” Bearrie heads into tomorrow three shots back of round one leader,
Joe Bendetti, of Austin.

Bendetti finds himself continuing his stellar play of 2013
after firing an opening round of one-under par, 71. Bendetti, who captured both
the Texas and Trans-Miss Four-Ball titles this year, found trouble early as he
carded a triple bogey on just his third hole of the day. Bouncing back quickly,
Bendetti made back-to-back birdies on holes fourteen and fifteen before making
an eagle on the par-4 eighteenth to bring him back to one under par for the
round. “It’s a great golf course…definitely a second shot golf course that
forces you to be on the correct side of the green. If you can stay patient and
leave yourself below the hole you can give yourself some good looks.” A closing
nine of even par, 36, placed Bendetti atop the leaderboard and no one was able
to catch him throughout the remainder of the days play. His round of 71 was the
lone under-par round of the day and gives him a one shot lead over Ron Kilby of
McAllen and Clay Hodge of Bryan who finished with rounds of 72. Sitting in
third place is John Dowdall of Houston who opened up his championship with a
one-over par, 73.