The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blake West Qualifies For 2009 U.S. Amateur
8/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Aug. 4, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB golfer Blake West qualified Monday for a spot at the 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship, played August 24-30 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. West, a rising senior, carded a seven-under-par 137 (67-70) during qualifying at the Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, Ala. to earn an automatic bid into the championship.
"This is a terrific accomplishment by Blake," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "Blake had to play his way through a very tough qualifying field in order to earn a spot in this prestigious event. I am proud of him and this should give him a lot of confidence heading into his senior season."
Out of the 50-man field competing at Wynlakes, only two golfers earned spots in this year's U.S. Amateur. West was joined by Alabama sophomore Hunter Hamrick, who carded a course record 64 in the second round, on his way to an 11-under-par 133 (69-64). Both players are from Montgomery and members at Wynlakes.
This marks the second time West has earned a qualifying spot at the U.S. Amateur Championship. Back in 2007, West earned his first trip when he qualified along two other golfers.
The Championship begins with 36 holes of stroke play on Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 24-25). The field is cut to the low 64 players for match play after Tuesday's round. Match play begins on Wednesday (Aug. 26) and continues until the 36-hole final on Sunday (Aug. 30).
