Date: August 20, 2012
Author: Hamish Jones / Golf Australia

Perry embarks on Mid-Amateur Augusta dream

It&aposs a word often used across all sports but Victorian golfer Jason Perry has literally dominated at the Australian Men&aposs Mid Amateur Championship in recent years. The 40 year-old Royal Melbourne member has won the past four editions of the championship (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011). That domination has led Perry to earn an exemption into the main field at the US Mid-Amateur Championship to be played at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forrest, Illinois from 8-13 September with the winner earning a coveted invitation to Augusta National for the 2013 Masters Tournament. Perry told Golf Victoria Magazine that he was looking forward to the test. “Golf Australia did a great job; Trevor Herden (GA&aposs Director of Championships) was the instigator and worked really hard for me and I&aposm grateful for the opportunity,” Perry said. Conway Farms should suit Perry&aposs eye with the Tom Fazio designed layout built around the hallmarks of Scottish links golf and due to host the BMW Championship during next year&aposs FedEx Cup Play-Offs. “It can&apost come around quickly enough,” Perry told Golf Victoria Magazine. No Australian has ever won the US Mid-Amateur title since its inception in 1981. In 2001, the final match, for the first time in the history of the championship, was expanded from 18 to 36 holes. And ten years later in 2011, Randal Lewis from Alma, Michigan became the championship&aposs oldest winner at the age of 54. Entries are now open for this year&aposs Australian Mid Amateur Championships to be played on the Open Course at Moonah Links Golf Club from 14-16 November. The Championships continue to prove popular for players aged 30 to 54 years, and will again be played over 54-holes stroke play.