UL’s Noto Qualifies for 110th U.S. Amateur Championship

www.ragincajuns.com – On Monday, Louisiana golfer Andrew Noto qualified for the 110th U.S. Amateur Championship after winning a U.S. Amateur Local Qualifying tournament in Lake Charles, La.

Noto, who is a junior on the Cajuns squad, fired off rounds of 66 and 69 at Lake Charles Country Club to finish the tournament at 9-under par. In all, 75 players participated in the 36-hole event with the top three golfers advancing.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Noto. “This was my goal for the summer, to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. It feels good to accomplish something that I’ve been working towards.”

By securing the top spot in the qualifier, Noto will now join a field of 312 other amateurs at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. The course has been selected as the site of the 2015 U.S. Open.

“An event put on by the U.S. Golf Association is always good.” said Noto of the upcoming championship. They are going to make this a tough competition.”

The 110th U.S. Amateur will take place from Aug. 23-29 starting with two rounds of stroke play. Following two days of stroke play, the field of 312 players will be reduced to the lowest 64 scorers, who will advance to match play. All matches are scheduled for 18 holes except the final match. The scheduled 36-hole championship final match is Sunday, August 29.

“This is a token to the end of a great summer for Andrew,” added UL head golf coach Theo Sliman. “The experience he has gained this summer is a tremendous asset that will manifest itself in fall.”

“With the experience I’ve gained over the summer,” said Noto, “I’ll be able to help out my teammates. This can only make it better for us as a team in the fall.”

The last Cajun to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship was professional golfer Michael Smith in 2007. Smith is currently 20^th on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series money list for 2010.

Current Cajuns Ethan Savoy and Kelsey Angelle also took part in the qualifier. Savoy shot 72-72 and Angelle posted rounds of 76-69.

Incoming freshmen Peter Lamaris and Tyler Ledet also were in the field. Lamaris, a native of Australia, shot 70-78. Ledet from Woodworth, La. finished with scores of 71 and 80.