By By Stan Caldwell / special to The Star
June 10, 2002
HATTIESBURG Dan Luke will not remember Sunday as one of his better days.
Playing on one of the biggest stages of his young life, in the next-to-last group at Canebrake Golf Club for the final round of the 87th Mississippi Golf Association Amateur Championship, Luke struggled with his game and finished with an 8-over-par 79 for the day.
Luke had high hopes going into Sunday's final round. On Saturday, he shot a splendid 3-under-par 68 to enter play Sunday tied with two other players for fifth place at 2-over 215. But Luke had trouble off the tee on Sunday, and that cost him dearly.
His 8-over-par round Sunday put him at 10-over-par 294, good for 15th place.
After playing well for Newton County High, graduating in 1999, Luke starred for Meridian Community College for two seasons. He accepted an offer to play for Ole Miss, and was redshirted this past year.
Luke feels like his effort this week against the state's best amateur players on one of the state's toughest courses will serve him well as he progresses in his college career.
Only one other Meridian area player finished the tournament. Doyle Bryan of Meridian shot a 7-over-par 78 Sunday to finish the tournament at 15-over-par 299. Steve Stewart of Meridian chose not to play Sunday, and Dan Angero of Meridian made the cut after the second round, but did not return Saturday for the third round.