First of Two Firecracker Open Qualifer Results

The Firecracker Open, held annually at Lions Municipal Golf Course over the July 4th weekend, has a field of elite golfers from around Austin and the state.  Players who have obtained entry to the event through their play do not have to qualify.  Those exempt players include former Firecracker Open Champions, players who had high finishes in the 2012 Firecracker Open or City Championship, or who have won a local event that is designated as worthy of exemption into the Firecracker Open. The list of exempt players includes some of the best players in Austin. For a full description of the exempt categories and more details on the event, click here.

The Firecracker Open Trophy is coveted and holds the names of Austin's best golfers since 1946.  Billy Clagett holds the record for the most wins in the Firecracker Open with six victories, which earned him the nick name of "Mr. Muny".  Other players of note that have won the championship include Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Randy Petri, Omar Uresti, Mark McEntire, Brian Noonan, Ricky Arzola, Michael Cooper, Stratton Nolen, Brenden Redfern, Robby Ormand, Alex Ellis, Scott Rodebush and Mike Allen.

Others, who did not meet the exempt categories of players, must qualify for the firecracker through either of two qualifying rounds at Lions Municipal Golf Course. 

The first of the two qualifiers was held Friday, April 19th in cool gusty north winds.  Because the course is designed with the prevailing southeast wind in mind, the scoring conditions were difficult.  Lions is a short course but it has demanding green complexes.  Added to the challenges of the greens, the north wind provided a stern test over the relatively short golf course.  The qualifying scores reflected those conditions.  Listed below are the results from the first qualifier.

Players with a score of 78 or better gained entry into the 2013 Firecracker Open.  The second qualifier will be held June 15th.