The Western Amateur Championship continued Wednesday at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel with the second round of medal play.
Three Hamilton County players – Noblesville’s Clay Merchent and Carmel’s Jeff Doty and Luke Prall – were among the field of 156 trying to advance in the prestigious tournament. While all three missed the cut, they improved their scores in the second round, and still had the honor of playing in an event that has been crowning champions since 1899 and counts several legendary names among the winners.
After two rounds, the field was cut to the top 44 golfers and ties; a total of 46 players advanced to today’s third and fourth rounds of medal play. The cut was even-par 144. Merchent finished with a 149, scoring 74 for the second round.
“I played okay,” said Merchent, who was battling back pain during the round. “I kind of scraped around and figured out a way to get the ball in the hole and it just wasn’t enough.”
The soon-to-be Indiana University freshman made a birdie on Wednesday, giving him five for the tournament.
“I’m not disappointed about it,” said Merchent. “I didn’t quit. I kept grinding it out, and what happened, happens.”
Doty, a Carmel graduate, scored a 150 over the two days. Doty’s second round was a 73, including two birdies.
“I played pretty poorly yesterday,” said Doty. “Today I hit it better, just didn’t make any putts.”
Doty will be a senior at the University of Kansas this fall.
“The athletic experience at KU’s awesome,” said Doty. “Just being part of the program there is really special and I really like my time there.”
Prall finished with a 158. He carded a 78 for his second round, including one birdie. He will play at Purdue University this fall.
Carmel’s Jeff Doty (above, with his mother Shelly) and Luke Prall (below, at right) were two of the competitors at the Western Amateur. (Richie Hall)
