Bluffton, SC (July 12, 2018) – Nine birdies and just one bogey helped Georgia Tech golfer Luke Schniederjans finish the first round of the 19th annual Players Amateur at Berkeley Hall Club in the lead with an 8-under 63.
Even though temperatures reached 95 degrees, the heat didn’t affect his round, “Even though it was really hot, it was still getable because the greens are perfect and the balls are flying.” Luke’s brother Ollie is a member of the PGA TOUR but he competed in the Players Amateur in 2012 and 2013. He gave Luke some notes but they were for the South Course. This year’s event is on the North Course. Despite the bad information, Luke credits his putting for his low score, “I made some long putts early to get it going. I hit it solid and made some more putts on the back nine.”
Bryson Nimmer and Daniel Hillier are tied for second place at 6-under. Bryson grew up in Bluffton and plays for Clemson. The local crowd went crazy when he eagled hole #15. He finished the 2017 Players Amateur in second place after a playoff with Philip Knowles. He went into Thursday’s round feeling confident, “Playing with Philip brings back the memories but at the same time, it makes me focus back on what I am trying to do every tournament which is sticking to my plan and executing it.”
Hillier is a 19-year-old New Zealander. This is his second start at the Players Amateur and the experience is helping him navigate the course, “This course you just need to keep it in the fairway. It’s a patience game, you are going to have birdies, you just have to wait for them.”
The second round gets underway Friday at 7:30 am at Berkeley Hall Golf Club. Admission is free and the tournament is open to the public.
For scores and tee times visit: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3791993801417963192