The historic first U.S. Amateur Qualifying event to be held in Canada at Vancouver’s Marine Drive Golf Club produced club member Chris Crisologo as its medallist.
On a day with weather befitting a marathon qualifier, Simon Fraser University’s Chris Crisologo swung the hot irons, shooting rounds of 65 and 69 for a 6-under par 134 under blue skies and a hot July sun in Vancouver.
It didn’t hurt that he was very familiar with the course, being a Marine Drive Golf Club member.
The long day took its toll on a number of golfers both mentally and physically but Crisologo, 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.
“I’m definitely excited, this will be a great experience, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
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,” he said.
“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 six bogies for his 134 total that will now see him travel to Bloomfield Township outside of Detroit Michigan for the 116th U.S. Amateur at the famed Oakland Hills Country Club, Aug. 15 to 21.
Joining Crisologo as the second 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.
