Bard Reaches Semifinals of Western Amateur

Story Links

Aug. 7, 2017

Glencoe, Ill. – Recent Virginia graduate Derek Bard (New Hartford, N.Y.) reached the semifinals of the 2017 Western Amateur Championship as he nears the end of his amateur playing career. Bard fell to eventual champion Norman Xiong 2&1 in the semifinals. Xiong is a rising sophomore at Oregon. The tournament was held at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Ill.

Bard advanced to the match play portion of the tournament after tying for ninth at 9-under 275 following four rounds of stroke play. He defeated Ruben Sondaja 4&3 in the first round and Nick Voke 2&1 in the quarterfinals.

During the semifinals, Bard jumped out to a 2-up lead after winning three consecutive holes on the front nine. He led 2-up after 11 holes before Xiong rallied with three consecutive wins to take a 1-up lead and then captured the 17th hole to lock up the victory.

Former Cavalier Jimmy Stanger (Tampa, Fla.) was also in the field at the 115th Western Amateur but failed to make the cut for match play after shooting 4-under during stroke play.

Bard and Stanger will be joined by current Cavalier Ashton Poole (Charlotte, N.C.) at the U.S. Amateur Championships that start Aug. 14 at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.