Schroeder captures 5th city am title

Ron Schroeder of Montgomery patiently carded a pair of 71s in the 36-hole finale to win the 2005 Greater Houston Men's Amateur Championship at Memorial Park Golf Course. The 48-year-old Schroeder has now won this championship conducted by the Houston Golf Association five times (1992, 1993, 1995, 2000 and 2006).

For the record Schroeder, who opened with 72-68, posted a 2-over-par 282 total for a five shot cushion over Kip Guidry of Missouri City, who was the second-round leader. Guidry scored 71-66-75-75 for a 287 total.

The top 10 finishers earned exemptions for the 2006 tournament -- Patrick Rodysill of Spring, John Dowdall, Seth Thornton, Fred Freeman, Owen Joyner of Montgomery, Jeff New of The Woodlands, Howard Herring and Kent Wiese, who was the first-round leader.

Thicker than nornal bermuda rough, narrower fairways, afternoon swirling wind and demanding pin positions made Memorial Park play extremely difficult -- an average score of 76.72 for the four rounds. The 8th and 13th holes, normally short par-5s, were played as long par-4s for the championship. Guidry's second-round 66 was the low score of the tournament. Schroeder's 71 was the low score in the fourth round.

The starting field of 144 was cut to the low 40 scorers and ties after Saturday's second round. It took a score of 11-over-par 151 to make the cut. A total of 47 players made it to the weekend.

Gerritt Stroh made the cut on the number thanks to his first-ever hole in one. He used a 5-wood to ace the 200-yard, par-3 11th hole. More than 500 competitors attempted to qualify for the event.