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Walters Claims 2020 Southern Amateur at Dove Mountain

Tucson-native Jonathan Walters (-3; 69-72) utilized his course experience to win the 2020 Southern Amateur at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain by two strokes over Bryan Hoops.

“I got to play this course a lot growing up,” Walters said. “It’s all about staying present and not allowing your mind to wander throughout the day.”

The tournament-low 69, including five birdies, gave Walters a comfortable three-stroke lead after day one. He sealed the deal on Sunday by shooting even par for a total gross score of 141.

While many players struggled to adapt to tricky tournament conditions, Walters’ familiarity with the course gave him an advantage over the rest of the field.

“You’re going to end up in places where you’re going to need to limit damage,” said Walters, “and I was able to do that time after time this weekend.”

Walters wasn’t only familiar with the course, but also with his fellow players in the final group. Reece Nilsen, the third-place finisher (E; 72-72), and Walters have been competing against one another since they were just eight years old in junior golf.

In the Legends Division, Rich Morrison and Jeff Zieky had to play two playoff holes to decide a winner, with Morrison (+7; 75-76) prevailing after a birdie on the par five second hole of the Saguaro Course.

Tom Sweigart (+5, 76-73) won the Senior Division by four strokes over Steve Geesling, while Eric Goldapske (+14; 83-75) won the Masters Division by four strokes over Andrew Atkinson and Kevin Gregory.