Vancouver – The historic first U.S. Amateur Qualifying event to be held in Canada at Marine Drive Golf Club produced club member Chris Crisologo as its medallist with the 2nd qualifying position going to William Deck from Kelowna.
Two alternate spots were won by two more members from the host club, Jackson Thornley and Conrado Pederes, who beat yet another Marine Drive member, Jordan Lu, in a playoff.
On a day with weather befitting a marathon qualifier, Marine Drive GC member Chris Crisologo was the medallist shooting rounds of 65-69 for a 6-under par score under blue skies and a hot July sun in Vancouver.
The long day took it’s toll on a number of golfers both mentally and physically but the Simon Fraser University product who was earlier this year named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference, posted a 5-under par 65 in his morning round and was never challenged for the medallist position.
This will be Crisologo’s first appearance in a U.S. Amateur and as he says, “I’m definitely excited, this will be a great experience, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Playing 36 holes in one day can certainly be a tough task and even though Crisologo’s familiarity with the golf course was a benefit, he didn’t get off to the start he would have liked,”It’s a long grind, obviously, I didn’t start off too well, to be honest with you. I was a little bit anxious on the first few holes, I think I was 1-over through my front nine, but knowing this course so well, I’ve been here 10 years now, you start to realize there are some birdie holes out here and you just have to take it for what it’s worth.”
Over his two rounds Crisologo recorded 10 birdies and an eagle to go along with 6 bogies for his 134 total that will now see him travel to Bloomfield Township outside of Detroit Michigan for the 116th U.S. Amateur to be held at the famed Oakland Hills Country Club, previous host to nine major championships including 6 U.S. Opens and 3 PGA Championships.
Joining Crisologo as the 2nd of two qualifiers from this event is William Deck of Kelowna who opened the day with a fine 3-under 67 of his own, only to see that evaporate on his afternoon front nine where he posted a 5-over 39 when, according to his own recounting he, “Hit it all over the place.”
Deck was able to right the ship, however, when he birdied 3 of his final 5 holes, aided by two hole-outs from the fairway to bring his score back to even for the day and knock another Marine Drive member, Jackson Thornley into 1st alternate status.
The 2nd alternate position was earned by yet one more member from Marine Drive, Conrado Paderes, who defeated the 2014 BC Amateur winner Jordan Lu, who also happens to be a member of Marine Drive, in a playoff.
For complete scores click here.