Lindwall & Ott share medalist honors, Bull wins playoff for last U.S. Amateur qualifying spot
It was a marathon day at Beaver Hills Country Club during Monday’s U.S. Amateur Qualifier. Players battled high temperatures and fatigue over 36 holes of golf in Cedar Falls.
Harrison Ott (Brookfield, WI) and Cedar Rapids’ Frank Lindwall (pictured above – Ott on the left) 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 (right), of Norwalk, captured the final qualifying spot in the playoff over Dusty Drenth, of Davenport. Both players posted 142 (-2). A birdie on the first playoff hole would be the difference for Bull and punch his ticket to the U.S. Amateur. This year’s U.S. Amateur will be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California.
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 awesome. 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 will be 1st alternate and Wes Buntenbach earned the 2nd alternate spot with his own playoff win over Sam Vincent.