Lee University's Bennett McNabb was co-medalist on Monday to earn a spot in the U.S. Amateur
photo by Contributed
Bennett McNabb has proven that he has the goods to compete at the highest levels of golf. But closing out tournaments with victories had been something that had eluded the 5th-year senior at Lee University.
Case in point when McNabb led the NCAA Division II National Championship after the first round back in May, then struggled the next two days to finish in a tie for 38th.
Then at last month’s Tennessee State Amateur, the Ringgold, Ga. resident carded back-to-back eagles on his way to an opening round 64 and a share of the lead, eventually landing in a tie for 5th.
But McNabb finally broke through by winning the East Tennessee Amateur two weeks ago, and that momentum continued into Monday with an invitation to the U.S. Amateur Championship on the line.
McNabb was one of three golfers to post 5-under 67 to earn co-medalist honors in the Final Qualifier at The Standard Club in Johns Creek, Ga. As one of 11 golfers to secure an invite to The Olympic Club in San Francisco for the U.S. Amateur to be held August 11-17, the WindStone Golf Club member was thrilled with the body of work he’s compiled this summer that led to Monday’s results.
“When I was leading the national championship after the first round, I didn’t know how to handle it,” McNabb said. “After being co-leader at the State Am, I learned some more valuable lessons even though I didn’t win. Then I carried that into the East Tennessee Am, which was my first win. It’s given me a different mindset that I’m here to win.”
McNabb made his intentions known early with three straight birdies following a par on the opening hole. He then completed his round with one final birdie – his sixth on the day – to join Parker Claxton of Claxton, Ga. and Harris Barth of Atlanta with the low rounds.
“It’s been a long time coming with the work ethic I’ve built,” McNabb said. “My emphasis has been sticking to my routine, just working through my shots and let the results be the results. It sounds like a cliché, but it frees me up on the golf course to enjoy the game more without worrying about outcomes.”
McNabb will now need to adjust his summer travel plans heading into his final year at Lee.
“I’ve never been to California, so this will be a pretty unreal experience,” McNabb said. “I don’t want to say it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I want to cherish every moment. I know I’ll be a minority out there being a Division II golfer from Lee University. I never thought this was possible.”
Also gaining a berth was Winburne Hughes of Memphis. Hughes birdied No. 18 to join four others at 1-under 71 before winning one of the three remaining spots in a playoff.
Missing by one shot were Knoxville’s Evan Woosley-Reed and UTC’s Dalton Burts, who both posted even par rounds of 72. Clark Akers of Nashville and Chattanooga’s Griffin Law finished at 2-over 74, while Luke Beadles of Nolensville carded a 6-over 78.
In another final qualifying event at Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., Nashville’s Ryan Terry completed a whirlwind 24 hours that he will likely not soon forget.
After winning his fourth straight championship in the weather-delayed Nashville Municipal tournament on Sunday, Terry hopped on a flight to Tampa before finally arriving in Sarasota around 2 a.m. with a 7:40 tee time looming Monday morning.
Going off as a twosome in the second group, Terry had a birdie-birdie finish on the closing par 5s at 17 and 18 to secure his qualifying spot, joining two others at 3-under 69 that were one back of the co-medalists as five advanced.
Terry had to wait around the clubhouse more than two hours after completing his round, enduring some tense moments hoping his score would hold up. But it was all worth it knowing he will be competing in his first U.S. Amateur.
“It was a crazy couple of days,” Terry said. “We finished the Nashville Muni at 7:30 and I hightailed it to the airport. Thankfully I had played this course before as my four-ball partner has been a member for years, so it helped since I didn’t get to play a practice round.
“It’s cool to finally make it into the U.S. Am, as I’ve come close several times. I haven’t ever been to Olympic so I’m looking forward to the experience.”
Nashville’s Michael Shivers missed the cut after finishing at 1-over 73.
The addition of McNabb, Hughes and Terry brings Tennessee’s representation at the U.S. Amateur to nine, joining Payne Denman, Toby Wilt, Lance Simpson, Cameron Tankersley, Jackson Herrington and Kaleb Wilson.
Sciortino Leads Tennessee Delegation at U.S. Junior Am
Brentwood’s Andrew Sciortino posted a 2-over 72 at Brook Hollow Club on Monday in the U.S. Junior Amateur in Dallas, landing him in a tie for 59th as the lone Tennessee golfer inside the top 64 needed to advance into match play beginning on Wednesday.
Will Pinson of Franklin is 3-over after shooting 74 on the host site Trinity Forest Golf Club, tied for 88th with incoming UTC freshman Evan Rogers of Duluth, Ga. who carded at 73 at Brook Hollow.
Greyson Collard of Memphis tallied a 7-over 78, Wick Baker of Bristol shot 8-over 78 and Drew Madigan of Collierville finished at 16-over 86 on the first of two days of stroke play.
For complete results, go to U.S. Junior Am.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com