Four members of the UCLA men’s golf team will compete in
the U.S. Amateur this week, along with a former Bruin.
The U.S. Amateur, which is considered to be the most prestigious
amateur golf tournament in the world, will be held at Oakmont
Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. from today through Aug. 24.
“A lot of people do not consider (the U.S. Amateur) a
major, but I do,” golf legend Arnold Palmer told the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s as tough a tournament as
you can play in. The players who have won are the very players
winning on tour now.”
Current Bruins Steve Conway, Travis Johnson, John Merrick and
John Poucher will all be competing, as will former Bruin Parker
McLachlin.
McLachlin tied for 16th at the 2001 NCAA Championships and
graduated in 2002.
The format of the U.S. Amateur is unique and difficult, as the
Amateur features 36-holes of stroke play, followed by single
elimination match play, and ending with a 36-hole final on Aug.
24.
The winner gets automatic exemptions to the U.S. Open and
British Open, as well as an invitation to the Masters
Tournament.
Last year’s winner was Arizona’s Ricky Barnes, who
went on to finish 17th at the British Open.
The U.S. Amateur field consists of 312 players, and the low 64
scorers advance to match play.
The U.S. Amateur will be held at two different courses ““
the Oakmont and Pittsburgh Field Club. Both courses have a par of
70, while the Oakmont is longer (7171 yards to 6636 yards).
In the current GolfWeek amateur rankings, Johnson is ranked No.
36, Merrick No. 39, Conway and UCLA senior Roy Moon are tied at No.
75, and Poucher is No. 90.