Photo by Jeff Thompson.
Bo Farlow
Bo Farlow, who will play in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Tournament at The Country Club of Birmingham this month, has been playing the Club’s courses since he was 6 years old. Photo by Jeff Thompson.One Mountain Brook golfer doesn’t have to look far to find a role model.
Bo Farlow is the son of Sam Farlow, one of the most accomplished golfers — both amateur and professional -— from the state of Alabama. At 35, Sam won his first event and started on a path that would lead to winning the Alabama Amateur and Senior Amateur 10 times and playing in 40 tournaments on the PGA tour.
And at 28 years old, Bo might have taken a few steps ahead.
In August, Bo, a resident of Crestline Village, shot a 73 at Shoal Creek to put him in a playoff with other accomplished local golfers vying for a spot in the 2013 United States Mid-Amateur Championship, commonly called the Mid-Am. Not only did he survive the playoff, but he also took second place in the qualifier from a field of close to 100. The win earned him one of only 264 spots in the upcoming USGA event.
The Mid-Am is scheduled to start Oct. 5 at The Country Club of Birmingham, a course familiar to Bo. In fact, he was there the day before the qualifier – when he won the Club championship, the Harris Cup.
“I think it’s fair to say I have an advantage,” Bo said just days before the start of the Mid-Am. “It’s not huge, but there probably isn’t going to be a shot I haven’t had or a pin I haven’t seen. I definitely plan to draw from my experience.”
Bo started playing the two courses – East and West – at The Country Club of Birmingham at 6 years old. At 12, he won the Club’s youth championship competing against players in high school. Combined, he said he’s played the courses more than 1,000 times.
“In the summer, I would spend from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. out there every day playing multiple rounds,” he said. “No matter where the USGA puts a tee, I know what to hit and where to play.”
The Mid-Am was founded in 1981 because young golfers were starting to dominate amateur tournaments. Golfers in college were able to practice more and were likely headed to the professional level, giving them a significant advantage over older contestants.
Bo is a full-time employee with Stern Agee and only recently got back into the game of golf. He had the opportunity to play in college but chose to focus his time on other pursuits. It’s only been in the past few years, since he became a member at The Country Club of Birmingham, that he decided to compete more consistently.
“I’ve really seen his game improve the last three years,” said Bo’s father, Sam Farlow. “He’s really come to appreciate what golf’s all about, to learn to take each shot one at a time and not let frustration get the best of him.”
Sam is looking forward to watching his son compete on his home course. The winner of the Mid-Am earns a spot in the Masters Tournament, but Sam said he hopes Bo chooses to focus on how special it is to play in this event.
“I really have no idea of whether [Bo] will do well the week of the Mid-Am,” Sam said. “But even if he doesn’t play well, I hope he fully embraces what it means to be there. Something like 5,200 golfers tried out, and a few more than 200 got in. He’s one of the fortunate few who gets to play. I’m so proud of him, and I know he’ll have wonderful experience.”
Saturday, Oct. 5: Medal Play (264 Players – East & West Courses)
Sunday, Oct. 6: Medal Play – Second Day
Monday, Oct. 7: Match Play Begins (64 Players – West Course)
Tuesday, Oct. 8: Match Play (32 Players - West Course)
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Match Play Quarterfinals & Semifinals
Thursday, Oct.10: Match Play Finals & Awards Ceremony
Spectator Parking & Shuttles
Spectator parking lots are located at the Birmingham Zoo and at the Junior League Headquarters in English Village. Shuttles will run between spectator lots and the Club Oct. 3-10 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Spectator Admission
The Championship is open to the public, and there is no admission charge.
General Information
›› The Club dining rooms will not be open to spectators. However, there will be cash service on the East Course Snack Stand, and there will be cash and credit card service on the West Course Snack Stand. Food and beverage service will also be available on the Pool Deck.
›› Championship merchandise will be available for purchase in the Golf Pro Shop through cash or credit card service.
›› Spectator photography during Championship play is not allowed.
›› You may follow live event coverage at usga.org.
›› Spectators are permitted to carry mobile devices (i.e., cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, tablets) at the Championship and use them for limited purposes on Championship grounds, subject to the following restrictions:
All device volume controls must be set to “silent” or “vibrate” at all times.
Phone calls cannot be received or placed in any area that may disrupt play.
Photographs may ONLY be taken during practice rounds (Thursday and Friday).
Video and audio recording are not permitted at any time during the Championship week.
Texting, email and the use of mobile applications are permissible throughout all areas of the golf course but must NOT disrupt players.
(Violation of the above policy may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the Championship.)
