Frog Golfer Polanski Set For U.S. Amateur
8/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Aug. 16, 2002
FORT WORTH, Texas -- TCU junior Stephen Polanski is just days away from beginning play at the 102nd U.S. Amateur Championship, which will be held August 19-25 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Polanski, along with recent Horned Frog golf grads Bret Guetz and Andy Doeden, reached the prestigious event after qualifying at their chosen sectional sites.
The USGA accepted 7,597 entries for this year's U.S. Amateur sectional qualifying, which was conducted over 36 holes at 100 sites from July 24-August 6.
Polanski, a native of Livonia, Mich., posted a two-round score of 149 to tie for first place at Cedar Chase Golf Course in Cedar Springs, Mich. Polanski appeared in five tournaments for the Frogs last year, notching a 74.53 scoring average. For his TCU career, he sports a 75.67 average and owns one top-20 finish in 13 events.
"It's great to see Stephen playing so well," Horned Frog head coach Bill Montigel said. "We really will need him to step up his game this year and help fill the void left by such a tremendous senior class. Hopefully, he will play well at the U.S. Amateur and can carry that over into the school year."
Meanwhile, Doeden carded a 136 to finish in first place at the Fargo Country Club in Fargo, N.D. He edged incoming transfer David Schultz by just one stroke to earn a spot in the U.S. Amateur. Last year, Doeden reached the round of 32 before being eliminated. Guetz easily advanced from his sectional at Chesterton, Ind., firing a 36-hole score of 137 to win the Sand Creek Country Club event by nine strokes.
"I'm very happy that those guys have qualified," Montigel said. "They are two outstanding individuals and I wish them all the best. Andy made a great run last year, and both of them have the talent and determination to do something special this year."
Following two days of stroke play (Aug. 19-20), the field of 312 golfers will be reduced to the lowest 64 scorers, who will advance to match play. All matches, except for the final, are 18 holes. The 36-hole championship is scheduled for Sunday, August 25. The champion receives an exemption into the 2003 U.S. Open. For more information, please check out www.usamateur.org.
