Brian Noonan
Brian Noonan and Riley Pumphrey were the only Austin players to qualify for the first USGA Amateur Four Ball Championship. It is being held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.
The tournament format consists of a qualifier to get into the event, then a 36 hole stroke play qualifier to determine the 32 teams that will participate in the match play portion of the tournament.
The golf channel will provide televised coverage of the event beginning with the round of 16.
Riley Pumphrey
After qualifying to participate in the event, Noonan and Pumphrey shot 71 the first round of the stroke play portion of the event. That left them outside the top 32 and needing a strong showing in the second round to make the match play portion of the tournament. They posted a solid second round and wound up in a tie for 30th with seven other teams. That was Sunday afternoon.
At 7:00 A.M. San Francisco time on Monday morning eight teams began a playoff for the remaining three spots in the match play event.
Two teams quickly qualified for the remaining three spots my making birdies on the par four 16th, which was the first playoff hole. One team made a bogey. That left five teams competing for one spot.
One team made bogey on the second playoff hole. That left four teams competing for one spot.
On the third playoff hole, another team made bogey. Noonan and Pumphrey were still in it.
It took three more holes to decide the outcome. All three teams made par on the next two holes but finally the team of E. Ciotti/M. Affeldt made a birdie on the par four 18th to claim the last spot.
Knowing both Noonan and Pumphrey it is certain they are disappointed at not making the match play portion of the tournament.
However, we hope they take some solace in the fact they they did qualify to participate in the event, which as we all know is no small accomplishment. And, they did have the opportunity to play both the Ocean and Lake Courses at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and they did represent themselves and Austin in a positive manner. And, they now have an exciting story to share with friends and fellow golfers.
Congratulations to both players.
