Five Tigers have Qualified for US Amateur

Aug. 5, 1999

Clemson, SC – Five current members of the Clemson golf team have qualified for the United States Amateur Championship. The event will be held August 16-22 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. This is the most golfers from one Clemson team to qualify for US Amateur in history.

Leading the way is senior Jonathan Byrd. The native of Columbia advanced to the Amateur by virtue of his selection to the United States Walker Cup team. He did not have to go through qualifying.

Three of the Clemson qualifiers are from Greenville, SC. Jani Saari, a junior on next year’s Clemson team, qualified by virtue of his 143 score for 36 holes at Holston Hill Country Club in Knoxville. Lucas Glover, also of Greenville and a junior on next year’s team, shot a 135 for 36 holes at Legendary Run in Cincinnati, OH. That was the top score in the field at the Legendary Run Course. Ben Duncan, who red-shirted last season and will be a freshman this coming season, qualified after shooting a 140 at the Furman University Course.

John Engler, a junior on this year’s team, fired a 139 for his 36 holes at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs, AR. That was the second best score at that site.

All five Tigers will be among the 312 players who will compete in 36 holes of stroke play competition August 16-17 at Spyglass Hill Golf Club and Pebble Beach. The top 64 golfers after those 36 holes will move forward to match play. The match play portion starts Wednesday, August 18th and continues to the 36-hole championship August 22.

This is the first time since 1961 that the Amateur has been played at Pebble Beach. The last time the event was held at Pebble Beach, the champion was Jack Nicklaus.