Kohles Joins Other Cavaliers as U.S. Amateur Qualifier

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Charlottesville, VA – Two-time ACC golfer of the year Ben Kohles (Cary, N.C.) advanced to the U.S. Amateur Championship today by taking medalist honors at the sectional qualifier held at Walnut Creek Country Club in Goldsboro, N.C.

Kohles, who will be a senior this year at UVa, shot 11-under 133 to finish first by four shots. He was one of three players to advance from the site. He had round of 67 and 66.

The 2011 U.S. Amateur will take place Aug. 22-28 at Erin Hill Golf Course in Erin, Wis. Kohles will be joined by former teammate Will Collins, who was a senior at UVa in 2011, rising senior Bruce Woodall and incoming freshman Denny McCarthy at the national championship event.

“I’m very proud of all four of these guys,” said Virginia coach Bowen Sargent, who was an alternate from his U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier site. “It will be a treat to see so many Cavalier golfers at one of the nation’s top championships. Ben played great today and there was not a better qualifier than what Will Collins did last week.”

Last Wednesday Collins won his sectional qualifier by setting the course record at Colonial Golf & Tennis Club in Harrisburg, Pa., by shooting 60 during the second round of his qualifying on the way to medalist honors. Collins posted a score of 65 during the first round for a 36-hole total of 125. Collins shot 26 during the front nine of his second round included two eagles, five birdies and two pars. Playing as a par-70, the score broke the previous course record by four shots.

Woodall was the medalist at the qualifier held at Beallsville, Md., at the Members Club at Four Streams with a score of 141. McCarthy qualified by finishing second at Piney Branch Golf Club in Hampstead, Md.