Two Current TCU Golfers Qualify For U.S. Amateur
8/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Aug. 13, 2003
FORT WORTH, Texas - Current TCU golfers J.J. Killeen and Drew Pigg have earned spots in the U.S. Amateur, which will be played Aug. 18-24 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. In addition, 2003 TCU graduate and Fort Worth native Adam Rubinson will participate in the event.
Killeen, a junior from Lubbock, claimed victory at the U.S. Amateur qualifier in Amarillo by carding a two-round score of 138. He won the Amarillo Country Club event by one stroke. Killeen has enjoyed two impressive seasons with the Horned Frogs, helping the squad to back-to-back conference titles. The 2002 Conference USA Co-Freshman of the Year owns a career scoring average of 73.78 in 24 career tournaments.
Killeen had one top-10 and three top-20 finishes during his sophomore season after grabbing four top-20s as a freshman. His best finish to date is a tie for sixth at the Prestige at PGA West last November. Killeen, who attended Coronado High School, is a former Texas Class 5A state champion.
Pigg, a sophomore from Plano, placed tied for second in his qualifier, which was played at the Gentle Creek Golf Course in Prosper, Texas. He finished with a 36-hole score of 145, two behind the tourney winner. Pigg appeared in three collegiate tournaments as a true freshman in 2002-03, and carried a 77.56 scoring average with a low round of 70. His best finish of the campaign was a tie for 44th at the Sooner Invitational last September.
Pigg, who graduated from Plano West, was a two-time American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American. He placed third at the 2001 Texas State Tournament and was runner-up at the 2002 Championships.
Rubinson, a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference performer with the Horned Frogs, earned his spot after placing third at the Trophy Club qualifier with a two-round 139. He later was issued an automatic berth in the U.S. Amateur after being selected by the U.S. Golf Association Executive Committee to represent the United States at this year's Walker Cup competition.
The 23-year-old Rubinson, the runner-up at the 2002 NCAA Championships, has enjoyed an outstanding summer competing as an amateur. He tied for 10th at Sunnehanna, was fifth at the Northeast Amateur, won the Rice Planters Amateur and was a semifinalist at the Western Amateur. In addition, he competed on the United States Palmer Cup team. Rubinson is currently rated seventh in the Golfweek/Titleist Men's Amateur Rankings.
"One thing we ask all of our golfers to do is to try to qualify for the U.S. Amateur," TCU head coach Bill Montigel said. "It is a tremendous accomplishment to advance. I'm really proud of all of them."
Four TCU golfers narrowly missed the cut at their respective sites. Senior Adam Meyer, senior Stephen Polanski, junior David Schultz and sophomore Joe Starzec are listed as alternates for the event.
Starting Monday, Aug. 18, the 312-player field will participate in two days of stroke play competition. Following the 36 holes of stroke play, the top 64 individuals will advance to match play, which begins on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The match play championship will take place on Sunday, Aug. 24. For more information, visit the official website of the U.S. Amateur: www.usamateur.com.
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