D.J. Trahan Continues To Roll At U.S. Public Links Championship

July 14, 2000

Portland, Ore. – Medalist D.J. Trahan, 19, of Inman, S.C. will meet Kyle Thompson, 21, of Columbia, S.C., and 1999 runner-up Michael Kirk, 23, of South Africa, faces Ben Dickerson, 19, of Hilliard, Fla. in the afternoon semifinals at the 2000 U.S. Amateur Public Links championship at Heron Lakes.

Trahan defeated Jered Gusso, 21, of Savage, Minn., 3 and 2, Thompson knocked off J J Wall, 19, of San Antonio, Texas, 5 and 4, Kirk edged Craig Lile, 23, of South Africa, 1 up, and Dickerson won over Jimmy Walker, 21, of Cibolo, Texas, 2 up, in the morning quarterfinal round.

Trahan, who was the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year as a Clemson freshman in 2000, Kirk, who will play his senior year at UNLV this fall, and Thompson, who plays collegiately at South Carolina, were the top three seeds in the draw of 64 players after stroke play. Dickerson plays his college golf at Florida.

“It was pretty cool this morning,” Trahan said. “We both hit the ball well, but I guess I just played a tad bit better. I was 6-under through 16 holes. I played unbelievably well. It was truly a battle of the putters. It was a war. I made great putts on 10, 13, and 16 on the back nine for birdie. It was key.”

Playing with the knowledge that the medalist has won the championship in each of the Amateur Public Links’ visits to Portland in 1979 and 1990, Trahan said: “I just think, please God, let me play like this all day. I really like my chances.

“During my downtime this afternoon, I will probably run laps,” he said laughingly. (Thursday), I just lounged around and I lost my focus.

The all-South Carolina semifinal between Trahan and Thompson begins at 12:30 p.m. PDT, and Kirk meets Dickerson at 12:45 p.m.

The 36-hole match-play final will begin Saturday at 7:30 a.m. PDT at the 6,869-yard, par 72 Great Blue Course at Heron Lakes.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Results for Friday’s quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of match play at the 2000 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at the 6,869-yard, par 72 Great Blue Course at Heron Lakes:

UPPER HALF D.J. Trahan, Inman, S.C. (142) def. Jered Gusso, Savage, Minn. (151), 3 and 2 Kyle Thompson, Columbia, S.C. (143) def. J J Wall, San Antonio, Texas (146), 5 and 4

LOWER HALF Michael Kirk, South Africa (143) def. Craig Lile, South Africa (146), 1 up Ben Dickerson, Hilliard, Fla. (150) def. Jimmy Walker, Cibolo, Texas (153), 2 up

Pairing for Saturday’s final of match play (36 holes) at the 2000 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at the 6,869-yard, par 72 Great Blue Course at Heron Lakes:

All Times PDT 12:30 PM – Trahan vs. Thompson 12:45 PM – Kirk vs. Dickerson