The local qualifying tournament for the 2010 U.S. Amateur golf tournament Monday had a distinctive Mid-American Conference flavor with a heavy dose of Kent State.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The local qualifying tournament for the 2010 U.S. Amateur golf tournament Monday had a distinctive Mid-American Conference flavor with a heavy dose of Kent State.
Members of the Kent State team won three of the four spots available, with the final spot going to a player from Miami (Ohio). All will play in the U.S. Amateur Aug. 23-29 at Chambers Bay, just outside Tacoma, Wash.
KSU junior Mackenzie Hughes was the medalist in the 36-hole event, held at Manakiki Golf Course and Kirtland Country Club, with a starting field of 82. Hughes, from Dundas, Ontario, practically assured himself a spot when he opened with an 8-under 64 in his morning round at Manakiki. He kept the momentum rolling with a 4-under 66 at Kirtland to finish at 12-under 130 to win by six shots.
"I kept the ball in play pretty much all day," said Hughes, who made four eagles -- two at each course -- on the day. "I was looking at birdies or stress-free pars all day."
KSU senior J.P. Paiement finished third at 139 and teammate John Hahn earned the final spot when he won a four-hole playoff against Medina's Pete Skirpstas after both players finished at 140. Hahn, from Hudson, rolled in a 20-foot putt for birdie on the fourth hole after getting up-and-down from a greenside bunker for par on the 164-yard third.
"I am so pumped up right now you wouldn't believe it," said Hahn, who lost in a playoff in last year's qualifier. "This is unreal. I've always wanted to play in the U.S. Am."
Obviously, KSU coach Herb Page was pleased.
"It was a great day for Kent State golf," he said. "Needless to say, I'm looking forward to next season. I'm proud of all of them."
Miami senior Mike Drobnick, from Hilliard, Ohio, was the runner-up after shooting 68 at both courses.