Sept. 11, 2008

RIVER HILLS, Wis. (AP) -- Former Southern Miss golfer Steve Wilson and Todd Mitchell each won two matches Wednesday to advance to the 36-hole final in the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Mitchell, from Bloomington, Ill., routed Chris Lange of Bryn Mawr, Penn., 9 and 7 in the morning quarterfinals, and beat Sean Knapp of Oakmont, Penn., 4 and 3 in the afternoon semifinals at Milwaukee Country Club.

Wilson, from St. Martin, Miss., edged Michael Stamberger of Plainfield, N.J., 2-up in the quarterfinals, and Michael McCoy of West Des Moines, Iowa, 3 and 1 in the semifinals.

The champion will receive a spot in the Masters.

The 38-year-old Wilson, who lettered for the Golden Eagles in 1991, has checked out of his hotel each day.

"We haven't stayed in the same hotel twice. We pack up each day because you never know when you're going to go," Wilson said. "Just go find an opening. One more night."

Mitchell's quarterfinal victory was the second largest in Mid-Amateur history.

"I'm just out here playing. I wake up every morning and I get to come here and it's an absolute treat," said the 30-year-old Mitchell, a former Yankees draft choice as an infielder. "I can't really ask for anything more than what's happened so far."

Meanwhile in Ann Arbor, Mich., Joan Higgins and Lynn Simmons each won two matches Wednesday to advance to the Women's Mid-Amateur title match.

The 52-year-old Higgins, from Glendora, Calif., beat Carolyn Creekmore of Dallas 5 and 4 in the morning quarterfinals, and edged Lynne Cowan of Davis, Calif., in 21 holes in the semifinals at Barton Hills Country Club.

The 40-year-old Simmons, from Phoenix, topped Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas, 4 and 3, and beat Noreen Mohler of Bethlehem, Penn., 2 and 1 in the semifinals.

The tournament is limited to players 25 and older.