By Staff
With the weather forecast improving for the weekend, we encourage golf fans to head over to Benton Harbor this weekend to take in the 104th annual Western Amateur.
Most of the nation's top amateurs have invaded Point O'Woods to try and earn one of golf's top championships.
The tradition of the Western Amateur is rich.
Some of the all-time greats of golf have played at the Point and won the championship.
Many of the top names on the PGA Tour today are former participants at the Point.
Players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Chris DiMarco, to name a few.
Some of the game's biggest names have also conquered the Point. Names we all know from years past, like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Lanny Wadkins, Andy North, Ben Crenshaw, Andy Bean and Hal Sutton.
The stars of the future are on display this weekend right in our own back yard. If you are a true golf fan, you owe it to yourself to get over to the Point and catch some of the action.
History was made last year when 17-year-old Jamie Lovemark became the youngest player to ever win the amateur championship.
Lovemark is back and just a few shots off the pace after the first day of competition. He has a chance to make more history with another victory.
The list is very short when it comes to repeat champions at the Western Amateur.
Regardless of whether or not Lovemark can accomplish this feat, we know you will enjoy a day in the sunshine watching golf at a very high level.
We suggest picking a player and follow him around the course. One can probably pick up a few tips watching how these youngsters, and not so young golfers, manage their games and the course.
Tickets are available at the Point and are very reasonable.
Today the golfers will play 36 holes of golf, a grueling test of mind and body, with the top 16 players advancing to match play on Saturday and Sunday.
The semifinals will be contested on Sunday morning with the championship match wrapping up the tournament in the afternoon.