Four Qualify For 76th U.S Junior Amateur at Seven Oaks Golf Club
HAMILTON, N.Y. -- Hunter Stetson earned the top qualifying spot for the 76th US Junior Amateur Championship at Seven Oaks Golf Club, in a sectional qualifier conducted by the New York State Golf Association.
Related: Results / Photos / U.S. Junior Am Home
Stetson, a 2024 graduate committed to play collegiate golf at North Carolina State, fired a three under 69 to lift him to medalist honors. Opening with two bogeys in his first three holes, the Newton Square, Pennsylvania product showed his composure and did not drop a shot from that point forward. Five birdies later, he was headed to Oakland Hills.
William Ma, of San Diego, California, grabbed the second spot, with a two under round of 70.
The final two spots were decided by a sudden death playoff as four players entered the clubhouse at one under.
On the opening playoff hole, Brody Burgess of Victor smashed a drive down the middle of the fairway to set up for a long, uphill approach. While he left his long iron shot below a steep ridge, he executed a brilliant lag, tapping in for par and securing the penultimate qualifying spot.
A two-man battle between Josh Yan of Newburgh and Theo Desroche of Canada dragged out for four holes, as each player battled to tie and live for another hole. Deroche went well right with his approach on the fourth and Yan was able to get up and down from a greenside bunker for a clinching bogey.
Desroche and fellow Canadian Jayson Ross will serve as the two alternates.
Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is set to host this year's US Junior Amateur.