Schmitz, Buege and McCain Earn Spots at U.S. Amateur Championship

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Despite two weather stoppages Monday, the majority of the field at the U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier at Rush Creek Golf Club finished just before dark, as Sammy Schmitz earned medalist honors with a 4-under par 140.

Schmitz, Farmington, Minn., began his day by carding a 5-under par 67 before shooting a 1-over par 73 during the afternoon session to finish on top of the leaderboard at 140.

Colton Buege, Rogers, Minn., finished one stroke behind Schmitz at 141 to earn the second qualifying position. Buege fired a 1-under par 71 during Monday’s morning session and followed it with a 2-under par 70 in the afternoon to finish at 3-under par 141.

A playoff for the final qualifying spot was conducted Tuesday as Andrew McCain made par on the first playoff hole to grab the final qualifying spot over Thomas Strandemo.

Schmitz twice qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2011 and 2012, while it’s the first time qualifying for the U.S. Amateur for both Schmitz and Buege.

“I’m excited to play in another top-notch USGA event,” Buege said via email Monday. “It was a long and exhausting day and the last hole we played, you could barely see your ball. The first round was playing firm and fast with winds blowing 15-20 mph—it was not an easy test.”

After the two weather delays, Buege said the condition of the course softened and it played like a completely different course during the final 18 holes.

“The first round I drove the ball beautifully which led to some easy pars,” Buege said. “My good ball-striking continued in the second round and my putting kept me in the qualifier. I played good down the stretch.”

McCain, Minneapolis, qualified for the U.S. Amateur a year ago at the Victory Links Sectional Qualifier in Blaine, Minn, but he failed to qualify for the match play portion of the championship as he finished tied for 146th (78-71—149).

The 2014 Amateur Championship will be played August 11-17 at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga. Strandemo, Fargo, N.D., and Parker Reddig, Minneapolis, finished as first and second alternates, respectively.



U.S. AMATEUR SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
RUSH CREEK GOLF CLUB
MAPLE GROVE, MINN.
6,989 YARDS, PAR 72


FINAL RESULTS
1. Sammy Schmitz, Farmington, Minn., 67-73—140
2. Colton Buege, Rogers, Minn., 71-70—141
T3. Andrew McCain, Minneapolis, 74-70—144


ALTERNATES
T3. Thomas Strandemo, Fargo, N.D, 70-74—144 (first alternate)
T5. Parker Reddig, Minneapolis, 74-71—145 (second alternate)


FAILED TO QUALIFY
T5. Dylan Gergen, Mendota Heights, Minn., 74-71—145
T7. Dylan Baker, Eden Prairie, Minn., 76-70—146
T7. Troy Johnson, Maple Grove, Minn., 75-71—146
T7. Ross Miller, Maple Grove, Minn., 75-71—146
T7. Tony Brown, Plymouth, Minn., 75-71—146
T7. Jesse Bull, Hopkins, Minn., 75-71—146