Dundas golfer to U.S. Amateur
On the heels of Chris Ross' appearance in the Canadian Open, Dundas' Mackenzie Hughes has qualified for the U.S. Amateur Men's Golf Championship.
See full coverage of Ross' first PGA Tour event in the July 29 Dundas Star News.
A press release from Kent State University, where Hughes enters his junior year next season, is included below.
Check the Dundas Star News (www.dundasstarnews.com) for continued coverage on the developing golf careers of both Hughes and Ross.
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Golden Flashes Dominate U.S. Amateur Qualifier
Kent State golfers claim three of the three of the four spots
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Next month’s U.S. Amateur Men’s Golf Championship will have a distinct Kent State flavor after the Golden Flashes claimed three of the four spots up for grabs in Monday’s qualifier. Rising junior Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ontario / Highland Secondary) won the event by six strokes and will be joined by seniors J.P. Paiement (Des Ruisseaux, Quebec / Polyvalente St. Joseph) and John Hahn (Las Vegas, Nev. / Hudson [Ohio]) at the Championship which takes place Aug. 23-27 at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
Playing Manakiki Golf Course (par 72) in Willoughby Hills, Ohio and Kirtland Country Club (Par 71) in Willoughby, Ohio, Hughes fired a 13-under 130 with rounds of 64 and 66 that included four eagles on the day.
“I kept the ball in play pretty much all day,” said Hughes. “I was looking at a lot birdies or stress-free pars.”
Paiement, who also qualified for the U.S. Amateur last season, finished third with a 139 posting rounds of 70 and 69. Hahn (71-69) tied for fourth place with Peter Skirpstas of Medina at 140 before winning a playoff for the final qualifying spot on the fourth extra hole when he sank a 20-foot birdie putt.
The performance was particularly gratify for Hahn who lost in a playoff at last year’s qualifier.
“I am so pumped up right now you wouldn’t believe it,” said Hahn. “This is unreal, I’ve always wanted to play in the U.S. Am.”
On top of the three players advancing on, Kent State also had three others finish in the top 11 of the 82-man field. Fresh off his win at the Northeast Ohio Amateur senior John Furlong (Medina, Ohio / Medina) shot a 142 (71-71) to finish tied for sixth, but lost out on a tiebreaker to Thomas Clemons of Chicago, Ill for the second alternate position. Tied for ninth was incoming freshman Correy Conners (Listowel, Ontario) (72-71=143) who has already won two events this summer. Senior Brett Cairns (Courtland, Ontario / Holy Trinty) rounded out the participants for KSU finishing tied for 11th with a 144 (71-73).
“What a great day for Kent State golf,” said Head Coach Herb Page. “I am proud of them all and Needless to say I’m looking forward to next season.”
