It looks like our on-site meteorologist will be the loneliest guy at Lake Nona once again today as the second round of match play at the 2010 USGA Senior Amateur gets set to begin. Like the previous three days, there's not a cloud in the sky and just a gentle breeze wafting through the private community. We've had three absolutely perfect days for golf and today looks no different.
Some intriguing second-round matchups feature good friends Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., and Logan Jackson of Winston-Salem, N.C. The two have had dinner three times this week, but for a few hours on the course, that friendship will have to be put aside. Simson is the more decorated of the two golfers, having won three British Senior Amateur titles, including this year's event. He also won the Canadian Senior Amateur by 15 strokes.
Another interesting match features Northern Californians Don Thames of Rancho Murieta against Jim Knoll of Sunnyvale.
USGA Executive Committee member and Floridian Steve Smyers faces his second consecutive past Senior Amateur champion. He defeated George "Buddy" Marucci (2008) on Monday in 19 holes and today he faces Greg Reynolds (2002) of Grand Blanc, Mich.
With two rounds of match play scheduled today, we'll be down to the final eight competitors by dusk.
Lake Nona also is hosting the "Sweet Sixteen" dinner tonight at the club, which invited member and ESPN football analyst Lou Holtz to be a guest. Lake Nona also extended an invitation to three-time U.S. Women's Open champion and Lake Nona resident Annika Sorenstam, but she had not confirmed her attendance as of Tuesday morning. Reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who secured the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup on Monday and another Lake Nona member, will not be in attendance. He is remaining in Europe for the Dunhill Links Cup this week at St. Andrews. -- David Shefter