Lucks, Bliss earn spots in 54th USGA Senior Amateur

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Kirkwood's David Lucks and Chesterfield’s Don Bliss each fired even-par 71s at Dalhousie Golf Club (above) to earn spots in the 54th USGA Senior Amateur Championship. Both will advance to th e national championship, Sept. 20-25, at Shady Oaks Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lucks balanced three birdies and three bogeys into a solid round ov er the 6,536-yard, par-71 layout. The 57-year-old former state champion will make his second appearance in the USGA Senior Amateur.

Bliss, who advanced to the Round of 16 in last year’s national tournament, would have had the low qualifying round Thursday had it not been for a two-hole stretch at Nos. 9 and 10. Coming to the ninth tee, Bliss was 3-under par on one of Missouri’s most challenging layouts. But a triple bogey at No. 9 and a double bogey at No. 10 put his qualifying bid in jeopardy. Bliss rallied with two more birdies coming in to finish at even-par 71.

Caption: MAGA Senior Director of Competion, Curt Rohe, congratulates David Lucks and Don Bliss following their even par 71s at Dalhousie Golf Club. Each advanced to the 54th USGA Senior Amateur at Shady Oaks Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas.