July 30, 2008
MADISON, Miss. — Rising Vanderbilt junior Hudson Johnson earned a spot in the 2008 United States Amateur by earning medalist honors at a sectional qualifying event held this week at the Reunion Golf and Country Club.
Johnson’s two-round total of eight-under 136 on the Reunion’s 7,300-yard layout bested the field of 45 amateur golfers.
“From the first day I just told myself to focus on every shot and not worry about what was going on in front of me or behind me,” Johnson said. “Just hit your shot as best you can. It was a lot of fun out there.”
Johnson shot a five-under 67 to tie for the lead after day one. Following bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes of the second round, Johnson stood at one-over for the day; but birdies on 13, 14, 16 and 17 catapulted the Longview, Texas, native into a convincing four-stroke victory.
Kyle Ellis’ four-under 140 was good enough for runner-up honors and the section’s only other guaranteed qualification. Robert Lindstrom III and Daniel Creel placed third and fourth, respectively, and were deemed alternates.
The 2008 U.S. Amateur will be played in Pinehurst, N.C., on Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4, August 18-24. The field of 312 amateurs will be cut to 64 players after 36 holes of stroke play. Those 64 will compete in four days of match play leading up to the 36-hole final on Sunday, August 24.
“[Pinehurst] has such a storied history,” Johnson added. “That’s going to be a blast no matter how well I play. And this tournament will certainly give me some added confidence heading into the season.”
Last season, Johnson led the Commodores to their first team championship under Head Coach Tom Shaw by earning medalist honors at the Kauai Collegiate Cup. Johnson and the Commodores begin the 2008-09 season on Sept. 19 at the Olympia Fields (Ill.) Invitational.
A product of Longview High School, Johnson grew up just four hours west of the Reunion Golf and Country Club but had not played the course until Vanderbilt placed fifth out of 15 teams at last year’s Bank of America Intercollegiate. The Commodores will return to that venue next April for the event, hosted by the University of Mississippi.
A number of other current Commodore golfers will participate in sectional qualifiers over the next two weeks. Vanderbilt golfers have had success in past U.S. Amateurs. Former Commodore Luke List was the runner-up at the 2004 U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot (Mamaroneck, N.Y.).