62 Qualify for the 35th Metropolitan Amateur
Union, MO - The qualifying round for the 35th Metropolitan Amateur Championship took place at Birch Creek Golf Club on Monday, July 14. The Metropolitan Amateur has a maximum field size of 156. 36 players were exempt into the field and 58 players were admitted straight into the championship field based on Handicap Index after the close of entries. This left 71 players to compete for 62 qualifying spots, along with 5 alternate positions. The weather was overcast and cool in the morning, but after a spot shower of rain, the temperature and humidity rose dramatically throughout the rest of the day.
The low score of the qualifier was Nick George of Persimmon Woods Golf Club. George carded a bogey-free three-under (-3) par and was the only player to finish under par. David Strickland of Tapawingo National Golf Club and Ted Moloney of Greenbriar Hills Country Club finished tied for 2nd with a score of even (E) par. The top 5 of the qualifier were rounded out by Nicholas Thompson of the Club at Castle Bluff, Remy Tyrrell of Sunset Hills Country Club, and Jairen Stroud of Salem Country Club at one-over (+1) par.
The cut line was drawn at fourteen-over (+14) par, but more golfers than room in the field sat at this mark. There was a 2-for-1 playoff for the last qualifying spot. Landon Sheppard of USGA/MetAmateur GC and Josh Hayes of Tapawingo National Golf Club both finished their rounds at fourteen-over, placing them at T62, but only one of them could end their day as a qualifier for the Metropolitan Amateur. They headed to Hole 1, a downhill par 4, to determine their fate. Landon came out on top by making par, while Josh settled for bogey and the 1st Alternate spot.
The remaining four qualifying spots were given to the next players on the leaderboard in order of score. Eric Fogleman is Alternate 2 and Lance Lavery is Alternate 3. Then there were a few players tied for the last two spots. Jeffrey Kissel claimed the 4th Alternate spot by being the only player present. The final alternate spot was given to Travis Parker through a lottery pull.
These 62 qualifiers will join the 94 golfers already in the field of 156 on July 31 for the 35th Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Westwood Country Club on July 31 through August 2.