Eight Advance Through First Stage U.S. Amateur Qualifying at Teugega
ROME, N.Y. – The NYSGA conducted First Stage Qualifying at Teugega Country Club on Monday for the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship. New this year, the qualifying format was shifted from one 36-hole sectional qualifier to two stages of 18-hole qualifiers, before advancing to the national championship.
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Massachusetts players took the top three qualifying positions, with 2017 U.S. Mid-Am champion Matt Parziale of Brockton earning the medalist honors at 4-under 66.
Just behind at 3-under was Wellesley’s Conner Willett, along with Weston’s Zach Pelzar at 2-under.
William Duquette of Canada also finished with Pelzar at 68.
Austin Giroux of Newport, Vermont, and Matthew Van Niekerk of South Africa tied at 1-under. Van Niekerk plays for the University of Rochester golf team.
The last two qualifying positions went to Sunderland, Vermont’s Ryan Porter and the lone Empire Stater who advanced, Jackson Saroney of Syracuse.
An 8-for-2 playoff was held to decide both first and second alternate positions at a group tied at 1-over.
Jacob Dantonio of Lancaster made a birdie on the second playoff hole to claim the first alternate. Saratoga Spring’s Kellen Dean, who was medalist at the U.S. Open First Stage Qualifier in Albany last month, played off for four more holes, battling with Ricky Stimmets of Osterville, Mass. Dean secured the second alternate on the sixth playoff hole.
Teugega Country Club was setup at 6,488 yards and a par of 70.
Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota will host this year’s U.S. Amateur Championship from August 12-18, 2024.
A final stage qualifier will be conducted on July 22 at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle.
