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National championship is set for July 19-24 at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich. CHARLOTTESVILLE –– What figures to be a busy week for Richmond’s Adam Ball got started on an encouraging note.
The 16-year-old central Virginian shot even-par 140 at Farmington Country Club to pace two golfers who qualified for the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in 36-hole qualifying on Monday. The national championship will be played July 19-24 at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich.
Ball shot consecutive rounds of even-par 70 in sectional qualifying: Next on the docket: a trip to the VSGA State Amateur, which starts on Tuesday at another classic layout, Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria. Admittedly, performing well at Farmington provides some momentum.
“The courses are very similar,” said Ball, who will be a sophomore at St. Christopher’s School in the fall. “Today was a very good test. I definitely have a lot of confidence, so we’ll see what happens.”
Ball was the low qualifier at last week’s VSGA Junior Match Play Championship, but fell in the first round of match play.
“I can’t remember the last time I won a match,” Ball laughed.
Apparently, all the reigning VSGA Junior Amateur champion needed was a return to the stroke-play environment. On a humid, sticky day, Ball said the key was to “stay hydrated and not have any big numbers.” He made nine birdies at the demanding Farmington Country Club layout and answered two double bogeys with a birdie on the following hole to earn medalist honors for a second straight year in sectional qualifying.
“Leading into the summer, my goals were to get to, and play well at, the U.S. Junior,” Ball said. “This is huge for me. I wanted this badly. It’s a big relief off my shoulders.”
Also qualifying was Davis Womble, 16, of High Point, N.C., who finished with a 5-over 145 aggregate.
The U.S. Junior, a championship for amateurs 17-and-under, is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association. Ten are strictly for amateurs.
CHARLOTTESVILLE –– Results from 36-hole sectional qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Farmington Country Club on Monday, June 28 (a – denotes alternate).
Adam Ball (Richmond, Va.), 70-70—140
Davis Womble (High Point, N.C.), 145
a – Maclain Huge (Lovetsville, Va.), 148
a – Sean Fahey (Villanova, Pa.), 149 |
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