Clark is an alternate, again

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 26, 2003

Jeff Clark has made the most out of his opportunities from being an alternate. This time he's hoping for another chance at the Minnesota state amateur championship.

Clark, an Austin resident, shot an 18-hole total of 74 at the Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship Qualifying tournament Wednesday at Eastwood Golf Course in Rochester, placing him eighth.

Also from Austin, Brian Duren shot 75 for the Austin Country Club and placed two spots behind Clark, though not on the alternate list.

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The top six advance to the championship, while Clark is the second alternate for the July 21-23 event at Minneapolis Golf Club in St. Louis Park.

Clark was an alternate for the 2002 National Junior College golf tournament, but he got the chance to go to nationals and ended up earning All-American status by finishing sixth overall.

Wednesday's qualifying round was the first of 12 regional tournaments, overcoming showers and thunderstorms along the way. Forty-two golfers competed for six spots after waiting out a two-and-a-half hour rain delay.

Ben Moore, representing his home course Eastwood, won the top spot with a 1-over-par 71. Clark, playing for Ramsey Golf Course in Austin, shot 36-38--74.

Clark is the defending Austin Open champion.