July 23, 2013
Midlothian, Va. – Continuing what has been a standout summer, Georgia Tech’s Bo Andrews grabbed one of two available qualifying spots Monday at Salisbury Country Club for the 2013 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Complete Results from Salisbury qualifier
Follow Capital City Club-Crabapple qualifier
The Raleigh, N.C., native shot rounds of 67-66 Monday and finished in a tie for second with VCU rising sophomore Adam Ball of Richmond, Va. On the second extra hole, the par-4 No. 2 hole, Andrews rolled in a 14-foot putt for birdie to outlast the 19-year-old Ball. Evan Beck of Virginia Beach, Va., a senior at Wake Forest, shot 12-under 132 to win medalist honors.
The U.S. Amateur Championship, the oldest golf championship in the country, is scheduled for Aug. 12-18 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.
Andrews and Ball had contrasting second 18s on Monday afternoon. Starting on No. 10 Ball stormed out and birdied five of his first six holes, while Andrews putter caught fire late and shot 5-under 31 over his last nine, delivering an afternoon-best 66 and force extra holes.
After Ball missed his 18-foot birdie putt at the second extra hole, Andrews judged his deciding right-to-left breaking birdie putt perfectly and the ball died into the hole. Though his last birdie was the most important, Andrews made five birdies on his 10th through 16th holes of the day–right when the 36-hole qualifier turns into part endurance test.
“That’s when you’re just trying to get in, but I just kept telling myself, `Keep making birdies and don’t let up,’ ” Andrews said.
Though he’s been on the doorstep on several occasions, Andrews broke through and qualified for a USGA championship for the first time.
“It’s nice to get in, and I’m excited,” he said.
Monday’s performance continued a strong string of amateur performances for Andrews, who posted a runner-up finish at the Northeast Amateur, a tie for fourth at the Sahalee Players Championship and a tie for 19th at the Monroe Invitational. He advanced out of a local qualifier for the U.S. Open in early June. In the spring, Andrews won the Gary Koch Invitational for his first career collegiate victory.
The U.S. Amateur is one of 13 championships conducted by the USGA, and a total of 98 sectional qualifiers for the championship are taking place nationwide, July 8-30. Andrews is the first of several Tech players who will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur over the next week.
Anders Albertson, Drew Czuchry, Seth Reeves and Ollie Schniederjans are entered in the sectional qualifying tournament that will take place today and Wednesday at the Capital City Club’s Crabapple Course in Milton, Ga.
Tech alumnus Carlton Forrester also is entered in the 132-player field that will compete for five qualifying and two alternate spots to advance to the Championship. Former Tech player and former Georgia State Golf Association president Chris Cupit is entered in the other 36-hole qualifier to be contested in Georgia, July 29-30 at Athens Country Club.
Richard Werenski will attempt to qualify July 30 at Cape Cod National Golf Club in Brewster, Mass., while Michael Hines will attempt to qualify at Tennessee National Golf Club in Loudon, Tenn., on the same day.
Matt Kuchar won the 1997 amateur title at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Ill. Bobby Jones won the championship four times in 1924, 1925, 1927 and 1930. Jones’ victory in 1930 completed the only Grand Slam in golf history in which he won the British and U.S. Open championships, and the British and U.S. Amateur championships.
About Georgia Tech Golf
Georgia Tech’s golf team is in its 19th year under head coach Bruce Heppler. The Yellow Jackets have won 14 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 26 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times.
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