Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Men's Golf Summer Updates
7/28/2009 12:00:38 PM | Men's Golf
Eagles compete in the Canadian Open, the Buick Open qualifier and the US Amateur qualifier
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Both current and former members of the Eastern Michigan University men's golf team recorded a busy week on the links with Cam Burke (Baden, Ontario-Waterloo Secondary) playing in the PGA Tour's RBC Canadian Open and Marty Jeppesen (Saline, Mich.-Saline) just missing a spot in the PGA's upcoming Buick Open. Meanwhile, Christopher Ross (Dundas, Ontario-Parkside), who recently completed his senior season, won a US Amateur qualifier to earn a berth in that prestigious tournament.
Burke, who qualified for the tournament by winning the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship last summer, had his brother, Nick, caddie for him. Burke recorded scores of 74 and 73 for a total of 147 in a tie for 129th, but missed the cut for the weekend against some of the world's elite golfers at Glen Abbey Golf Club in· Oakville, Ontario, Canada, July 23-26. Australia's Nathan Green defeated Retief Goosen of South Africa in a playoff to secure his first PGA Tour victory.
In a tournament interrupted by heavy rain, the field had to return to Glen Abbey on Monday to complete the third and final rounds. When the final putts dropped in regulation play Goosen and Green were still deadlocked on -18 so extra holes were required to decide the tournament.
Jeppesen was also trying to get his shot to compete against the best at the Buick Open, July 30-Aug. 2, at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich. However, the dream of capturing one of the final four spots would fall just short, as he fell in a six-way playoff despite firing an 18-hole total of 69.
PGA Tour member Tom Byrum carded a 67 and Michigan State University graduate and Mini-Tour Player Andrew Ruthkowski finished with a 68 to qualify for the tournament. In the playoff, Randall Hutchison and Scott Cashell grabbed the final two qualifying spots by edging out Jeff Cuzzort, Cameron Lawrence, Jeppesen and Dan Payton.
Ross played his way into the 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship Monday, July 27, with his 135 total at Prestwick Village in Highland, Mich., earned him a spot into the field. After opening with a 70, he stormed back with a 65 to post a 135 total to earn one of the two qualifying spots. The 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship will be Monday through Sunday, Aug. 24-30, play at the Southern Hills Country Club and Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
