Two Tide Golfers Qualify For U.S. Amateur
7/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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Color the 2005 United States Amateur Men’s Golf Championship crimson. Two University of Alabama golfers took two of the three qualifying spots Wednesday at Ol’ Colony Golf Complex, the Crimson Tide’s home course.
Daphne’s Joseph Sykora, who will be a sophomore on the Alabama team this fall, was medalist. He shot seven under par for the day, 72-65/137 to win on the par 72 course. His future Tide teammate, Montgomery’s Matthew Swan, finished three under par, firing 74-67/141. He’ll be a freshman on the Alabama team in the fall.
For Sykora, the third try was the charm. This marked his third attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. He missed it by one spot last year.
“It helped that this is our home course,” said Sykora whose month of July has already included play in the U.S. Pub Links amateur. “I didn’t even get in town until six or seven last night, so I didn’t have a practice round. I guess you just have to know where to hit it. I think it was also the guys in my group. My dad was my caddie, so he was with me, and I was playing with one of my Alabama teammates, Matt Hughes. I felt real laid back all day, like we were all just out there playing a regular round of golf.”
Swan, who is barely out of high school, having just graduated in May, is making his second straight U.S. Amateur Championship appearance. He missed advancing to match play last year by one shot. In June he traveled to Japan and helped the USA win the World Junior Amateur Championship.
“I got to go last year, and to do it two years in a row is exciting,” said Swan who finished second this past Saturday at the Southern Amateur. “I’ve tried it twice and made it twice, which is awesome.”
The 105th U.S. Amateur will be held August 22-28th at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Other current Tide golfers competing in the qualifier on Wednesday included Hughes, who shot 73-76/149 and Lance Walker, who carded 75-75/150.
Alabama has produced 26 different U.S. Amateur participants since its first, Jerry Pate who won it all in 1974. Two Tide golfers, Max Alverio and Sean Szerencits, played in the 2004 U.S. Amateur.
