By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Jerry Richardson, Jr. returned to a golf course familiar to him and posted the top score in the U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier Monday at Alamance Country Club.
Richardson’s 6-under-par 65 led the field, while Burlington’s Wade Boteler shot 66 to also qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur on September 13-18 at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Charlotte’s David Sargent with 66 was the other qualifier from the site.
“I had a good day,” Richardson said. “This qualifier happened to be on my former home course. It was a good one (to enter) and try to see if I can get through.”
Richardson and Boteler had bogey-free rounds. Richardson notched birdies on Nos. 1, 4, 6, 12, 17, and 18. Boteler’s birdies on Nos. 3, 7, and 10 came before an eagle on the par-5 17th hole on his home course.
“It was probably the best putting round I’ve had in a long time,” Richardson said.
On No. 17, Boteler used a driver and 4-iron before needing a 22-foot putt for eagle. It was the longest putt he made Monday.
Boteler, 38, is an ACC member.
“I was putting a little extra pressure on myself because I wanted to get it done,” he said. “(Alamance Country Club) folks expect you to play pretty well here.”
Boteler, who’s director of business development for Burlington-based National OnDemand, has won club championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024. He played in the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur in Wisconsin.
“It’s a treat to have an opportunity in a USGA championship,” Boteler said. “The USGA puts on a phenomenal golf tournament.”
Both golfers raved about competing in U.S. Golf Association events. Next month will mark the fourth for Richardson.
“If you get in these, you have to go,” Richardson, 40, said.
Richardson was the 2001 and 2003 Class 3-A individual high school state champion for Williams. He golfed for North Carolina State and became a two-time North Carolina Amateur champion (2005, 2007). In 2010 and 2011, he played in the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro.
He has cut back his golf ventures in recent years, partly because he has a 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. But he’ll play an occasional round at Alamance Country Club with his father, who’s a member there. Monday’s outing marked his first round at the club in 2025.
“I hadn’t played in a tournament at Alamance in a long time,” he said.
Richardson, who lives in Cary, is a financial advisor. His new home course is Devils Ridge Golf Club in Holly Springs.
He said he’ll play in a few qualifiers or tournaments each year, though his competitive play is generally limited to four-ball or invitational events.
“I do try to play a little bit,” he said. “I get out once a week if I can.”
Eric Edwards and Jake McGlone, both from Charlotte, had 67s and were the two alternates from the qualifier in Burlington. Golfers from four states competed.
Among other entrants were Elon’s Warren Straub (71), Burlington’s Luke Haithcock (72), Burlington’s Matt Crenshaw (72), Hillsborough’s John Gaddy (73), Burlington’s Kyle Mofffett (77), and Burlington’s Dustin Moore (withdrew).
