SDSU MEN'S GOLFER P.J. SAMIERE SECURES BERTH IN U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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Aztec rising senior wins sectional qualifier in Hawaii

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

July 21, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State men’s golf rising senior PJ Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii) earned a spot in the 2017 U.S. Amateur Championship after winning his United States Golf Association sectional qualifier last Monday in Kapolei, Hawaii.

Samiere carded a 36-hole total of 5-under 137 on rounds of 67-70 to edge Boise State senior-to-be Donny Hopoi by two strokes at the par-72, 6,939-yard Kapolei Golf Club.

Samiere has enjoyed a highly successful summer slate, capturing the California State Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco on June 24, where he defeated Noah Norton 1-up in a dramatic 36-hole final, before posting a solo third-place effort at the Sahalee Players Championship outside of Seattle, Washington, on July 5.

During the 2016-17 campaign, Samiere helped the Aztecs to their school-record 19th consecutive NCAA regional appearance after pacing the team with a 72.11 scoring average and 19 rounds at or below par. For his efforts, he was named to the PING Division I All-West Region team for the first time as a collegian.

Scheduled for Aug. 14-20, the 2017 U.S. Amateur will be held at the par-70, 7,272-yard Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, as well as the par-70, 6,722-yard Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles.

This year marks the 117th installment of the U.S. Amateur, making it the oldest golf championship in the nation, one day older than the U.S. Open. Other than an eight-year period from 1965-1972, when it was contested at stroke play, the Amateur has been a match-play championship.

This year's field includes 312 golfers participating in 36 holes of stroke play over the first two days. After the second round, the low 64 scorers advance to match play at Riviera. On Sunday, Aug. 20, the remaining two golfers will complete 36 holes of head-to-head competition to determine the U.S. Amateur champion.

The Aztecs have had two golfers win the U.S. Amateur, including recent alumnus Gunn Yang, who claimed the top prize in 2014 at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, while Gene Littler accomplished the feat in 1953 at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.


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