Spencer Qualifies For U.S. Amateur
July 25, 2012
Updated, With Quotes From Spencer
Isaac Spencer becomes the second SEU golfer to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship.
CHINA GROVE, N.C.--For college athletes the summer time is usually a period of preparation for their upcoming seasons of competition, but for collegiate golfers the summer schedule can often be a time of great opportunities. This has been the case for Fire men's golfer, Isaac Spencer, as he has had a terrific summer competing in amateur tournament events.
This summer Spencer has qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship and the North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship.
Spencer, who will be a senior this upcoming fall at SEU, qualified for the U.S. Amateur on Tuesday, by shooting seven under par for the tournament, a two round total of 133. Spencer fired an opening round 65, placing him in a tie for first place with Stefan Brewer. He then posted a final round 68, tying for second place overall and taking one of the five eligible spots for the U.S. Amateur from a field of over 80 golfers.
When asked what it feels like to qualify for the U.S. Amateur, Spencer's response, "Dreamlike! Because I have always viewed it as the paramount amateur tournament in the country. I am humbled because I know many great players could have qualified for this tournament, but did not."
He becomes just the second Southeastern golfer in school history to qualifying for the prestigious tournament, joining former Fire standout Matt Parziale who qualified back in 2006.
"Every part of my game was solid, but what gave me the edge was my putting," added Spencer. "I had 24 and 30 putts in my rounds."
This year's U.S. Amateur Championship will be held August 13-19, at Cherry Hills Country Club, in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. The U.S. Amateur is one of the oldest golf tournaments in America, with the first being held in 1895. Previous champions include; Tiger Woods, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson. The winner of the U.S. Amateur receives exemptions to play in the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. The runner-up is also given exemptions to compete in the Masters and U.S. Open.
Back on July 17th, Spencer easily qualified for the North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship. Amateurs could qualify for the tournament by posting a round of 75 or better, but Spencer easily managed that feat by tying for the top medalist with a five under par 67.
"I have been playing good recently because I changed the way I grip the club and have stayed patient with the process of learning something new," added Spencer.
The North Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship will be played at Forest Oaks Country Club, in Greensboro, N.C., August 1-5.
