Buddy's Back For The 2023 US Senior Amateur!
Edwardsville, IL - Things kicked off at 7:30am at Sunset Hills Country Club for U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying round. The day started with a cloudy sky and humid atmosphere. As players began their rounds wind blew lightly and the sky threatened with gloom. Around 10:50 play was suspended due to inclement weather in the area. Just as all players returned to the clubhouse, it began to pour for a while. Once the clouds began to clear, players quickly warmed back up and play was resumed at 12:40pm. Following the storms, the sun came out and remained for the rest of the day. Thirty-two golfers threw their hat in the ring in an attempt to capture the one qualifying spot and two alternate positions.
After nine holes, there was only one player under par and one at even par. A slew of players did sit at just one or two-over par. Brett Allen of Columbia, Missouri went off in the first group of the day, and after nine holes sat at two-under (-2) par. The back nine was not as kind to Brett, leaving him at one-over (+1) par and waiting to see how everyone else would finish. Joseph Malench of Edwardsville, Illinois came through the turn at even (E) par. Malench had started off strong with two birdies in the first two holes, but a double bogey on hole 7 brought him back to even. Unable to find a birdie on the back nine, left Malench at two-over (+2) par for the day. Buddy Allen of Pevely, Missouri was one of the players that sat at one-over (+1) par after nine. Buddy’s back nine did not get off to a great start, but he was able to find two birdies including one on the 18th green to finish the round at one-over (+1) par and force a potential playoff with Brett Allen. Thomas Paulsen of Gallatin, Tennessee was in the last group of the day. Paulsen made the turn at three-over (+3) par, but didn’t let that deter him from making his way back into the mix. With two birdies on the back nine, Paulsen pulled together a round of two-over (+2) par, which would put him in the playoff for the second alternate position. Kevin Boscamp of Dallas, Texas and Robert Godwin of Poplar Bluff, Missouri also finished the day at two-over (+2) par.
With the final group in the clubhouse around 3:32pm, it was official and time for playoffs. For the qualifying spot, it was a battle of Allen versus Allen. Heading down Hole 17, the playoff began. Neither Buddy nor Brett were able to seal the deal on the first playoff hole, so they turned to Hole 18. Once making their way down the fairway and to the green, Buddy Allen was able to find the hole in fewer strokes and claim the ticket to the U.S. Senior Amateur. Brett becomes the first alternate with this result. Kevin Boscamp, Robert Godwin, Joseph Malench, and Thomas Paulsen all faced a playoff for the final alternate spot. When the time came to tee off for the playoff, Boscamp and Godwin were nowhere to be found. With two out, it became a battle between Malench and Paulsen. Also utilizing Hole 17 for the playoff, the two players took off to settle the decision. Malench was able to make his putt and claim the second alternate spot.
Buddy Allen will travel to Martis Camp Club in Truckee, California to compete from August 26-31. Should the spot become available, Brett Allen will be the first alternate, followed by Joseph Malench as the second alternate.