HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. — Rising sophomore Clayton Rotz was not the only Tiger golfer to qualify for the 108th U.S. Amateur Championship on Thursday as senior-to-be Jarrod Barsamian also added his name to nation’s premier amateur field in the sectional qualifier at Boyne Resorts.
With 36 holes being played at the Heather Course on Thursday, Barsamian earned a second-place finish with matching rounds of 1-under 71 for a cumulative total of 2-under par 142.
Barsamian, who will compete in the U.S. Amateur for the first time in his career, was one of three qualifiers at Boyne Resorts as Andrew Putman of University Place, Wash., finished first with a score of 5-under 139 and Clark Klaasen of Grand Rapids, Mich., took third at 1-under 143.
“I’m very excited to be able to play in the U.S. Amateur for the first time. Any time you’re able to compete against the best 312 amateurs in the country, it’s a great accomplishment,” Barsamian said. “I felt really good coming into the tournament because the course set up great for how I like to play. It was in great shape and I think that showed by some of the scores that were turned in.
“It set up great for my irons, was forgiving off the tee and had soft greens with good speed. I just tried to take advantage of the opportunity, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Barsamian sat in a tie for third place following his opening 71 in the morning round, but took the lead into the clubhouse following another 71 in the afternoon. He finished in second after Putnam followed his opening round 5-under 67 with a steady even-par 72.
A native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Barsamian said he chose to take part in a sectional qualifier in Michigan because he is scheduled to tee it up in the 2008 Western Amateur Championship beginning Monday at nearby Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club in Benton Harbor.
“I think I just wanted to come up a little early and get used to my surroundings before playing in the Western Amateur next week,” Barsamian said. “I thought it was important to come up early and spend some time preparing for what I hope will be a great week next week. I don’t think there is any doubt that I made the right decision and it paid off in a big way.”
The 108th United States Amateur Championship is scheduled for Aug. 18-24 at historic Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4 in Pinehurst, N.C. Sponsored by the United States Golf Association, the U.S. Amateur features a 312-man field of the top amateur golfers from across the globe.