2018 Yearbook

67 U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier Beaver Hills CC, Cedar Falls July 9 It was a marathon day at Beaver Hills Country Club during U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying. Players battled high temperatures and fatigue over 36 holes of golf in Cedar Falls on July 9th. Harrison Ott (Brookfield, Wis.) and Cedar Rapids’ Frank Lindwall would share medalist honors at 141 (-3). Both players shot 73 (+1) in the morning round and followed that back up with 68s (-4) in the afternoon. Scores were not as low as some, including Lindwall, predicted in the morning round. “I figured four or five-under on this course would be leading in the morning,” Lindwall said. “When I saw 70 was low, I thought if I could shoot a few under on the second round, I would have a chance. It feels good to qualify. I just tried to stay positive and patient. I felt a little off, I didn’t drive it real well. I was able to make some key putts in the second round. I’ve been playing well the last few months and knew I was good enough. I tried to control what I could control.” Dennis Bull, of Norwalk, captured the final qualifying spot in the playoff over Dusty Drenth, of Dav- enport. Both players posted 142 (-2). A birdie on the first playoff hole would be the difference for Bull and would punch his ticket to the U.S. Amateur. Bull admitted after his playoff victory he didn’t have his best stuff for most of the day. “I was not playing well today, but just tried to hang on this morning,” Bull said. “It was manageable in the afternoon, I just didn’t make many putts. This day, you have to remember, is a shot here and a shot there. When I found out I was in the playoff it was energizing. I am exhausted, but it was awe- some. It was a gritty day, I thought if I could shoot even in the morning, I might have a chance in the afternoon. A day like this is a marathon. I am not 20 anymore, I remember those days, you feel like you can run through a wall at that age.” Drenth was 1st alternate and Wes Buntenbach earned the 2nd alternate spot with his own playoff win over Sam Vincent. This year’s U.S. Amateur was contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California. Norwalk’s Mike McCoy, who was exempt from qualifying, joined the trio in California. Ott (#59 seed) would be the lone player of the four to reach match play through stroke play qualifying, winning his opening round match before losing 2&1 to eventual champion Viktor Hovland, of Norway. Bull, Lindwall, Ott earn spot at U.S. Am Results (Par-72) Frank Lindwall Harrison Ott Dennis Bull -3 -3 -2 T1 T1 3 141 141 142 68 68 70 73 73 72 Harrison Ott (L) and Frank Lindwall