News

Sienkiewicz, Aurilia Claim U.S. Amateur Spots

By: Brandon Genson, AGA Communications Manager

TUCSON, Ariz.- Chase Sienkiewicz and Gavin Aurilia earned two U.S. Amatuer qualifying spots after their two-round performances at Sewailo Golf Club in Tucson, Ariz. The only player to shoot under 65 in both rounds, Sienkiewicz (-15) cruised to the tournament’s low score and Gavin Aurilia won a playoff for the second qualifying spot.

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At seven under, Sienkiewicz was the clubhouse leader at the end of round one by three strokes. His stellar first round was charged by an impressive front nine, in which he racked up five birdies. Topping that in round two would be a tall task, but Sienkiewicz lived up to the challenge.

With four birdies and an eagle on round two’s front nine, Sienkiewicz separated himself from the field en route to clinching his spot in next month’s U.S. Amateur. A University of Arizona Wildcat, Sienkiewicz qualified on his team’s home course at Sewailo.

While Sienkiewicz ran away with the first qualifying spot, a tight race ensued for the second one. Two strokes separated five golfers, but it was Aurilia and Gabriel Salvanera (-9) who found themselves in a playoff for the second and final qualifying spot.

It only took one playoff hole for a winner to be decided as Aurilia made birdie and punched his U.S. Amateur ticket. The playoff victory capped off a superb outing in round two in which Aurilia climbed the leaderboard. At two under, he entered the day in a three-way tie for fourth place, but emerged atop the cluster by posting a 65 in round two- the day’s second best score to Sienkiewicz’s 64.

In addition to the two qualifying spots, alternate spots were awarded to Salvanera and Rylan Johnson, as the third and fourth place finishers. Salvanera edged out Johnson in a playoff to determine the first and second alternates.

Sienkiewicz and Aurilia join Anawin Pikulthong, Brock Goyen and Trevor Lewis- who qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz. last week. The 122nd U.S. Amateur is scheduled to start on August 15th at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.

Up Next For the AGA:

USGA Qualifier: U.S. Senior Women’s Open Qualifier– Eagle’s Nest Country Club, July 20th
Women’s Tournament: AGA Mixed Stix Tournament– Oakcreek Country Club, July 23-24th
Social: AGA Scramble Day– Raven Golf Club, July 31st
USGA Qualifier: U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier– Blackstone Country Club, August 1st
Social: AGA Just For Fun– Tubac Golf Resort & Sewailo Country Club, August 4-5th