Sectional qualifying saw 593 players at eight sites vie for 149 positions. The club has played host to three previous State Amateurs. In the most recent, Mark Bemowski won with a 296 total in 1984. Alex Antonio finished second. He is also a kicker and punter for the Southeast Missouri State football team with a big leg and designs on a career in the National Football League.
Football usually takes precedence over golf.
But not this week. Witczak will tee it up, along with 179 other golfers, in the 99th Wisconsin State Golf Association Amateur Championship. The 72-hole tournament gets under way today at the Racine Country Club. Last year, Witczak, a public links player, came out of nowhere to contend in the State Amateur at Brynwood Country Club. 5-over en route to an 80 and a tie for eighth place.