Harrell Becomes 3rd UA Golfer to Make 2005 U.S. Amateur
7/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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By Lance Walker, UA Media Relations
TUSCALOOSA- Mark Harrell became the third current University of Alabama golfer to qualify for the 2005 United States Amateur Monday. Harrell, a native of Hazlehurst, Georgia, qualified at the Jones Course in Aiken, South Carolina. Harrell fired rounds of 72-66 in the 36-hole qualifier. With only five spots up for grabs, his 138 total placed him fourth in the qualifier.
This will be Harrell’s first U.S. Amateur appearance. He rallied in his second round to secure a spot.
“My first round I made three birdies and three bogeys, I just really couldn’t get anything going,” said Harrell. “In my second round, I started off with a birdie so that gave me some momentum. On my eighth hole, I hit my birdie putt a little too hard, but it hit the back of the cup and went in. I knew then that this was my day.”
Even after a solid front nine, Harrell had to fire a 32 on his final nine to qualify. Sitting at five under for the round and facing a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole, Harrell knew he had to make it.
“I had a downhill 30-footer for birdie on the last hole. I knew I had to make. I hit a perfect putt, and I knew it was in all the way.”
Joining Harrell at the 105th United States Amateur will be two of his Crimson Tide teammates. Last week, Daphne’s Joseph Sykora, who will be a sophomore this fall, and incoming freshman Matthew Swan both qualified in Tuscaloosa.
Two other Tide golfers will also attempt to qualify for the championship. Stewart Whitt, an Athens native, will attempt to qualify in Knoxville, Tenn., while Max Alverio will compete in a qualifier in Puerto Rico where he lives.
The 2005 U.S. Amateur will be held August 22-28 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
