As the summer seems to be cooling down, members of The University of Memphis men’s golf team are heating up, and it’s just the right time.
Three Tigers have qualified for the U.S. Amateur. One of those three beat all-comers in the Quebec Amateur and another won a local Championship.
“They stay competitive during the summer,” said Grant Robbins, head coach. “And it helps with their confidence when we start our season in the next month.”
Keven-Fortin Simard beat almost 150 golfers in the Quebec Amateur, which Robbins said is similar to winning a state amateur tournament, and he won it by an impressive four strokes. Fortin-Simard is coming off a stellar freshman season, which he gained third-team Conference-USA honors and won two individual medals along the way.
He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur by winning the Syracuse sectional late last month.
The second to qualify for the Amateur tournament is Clayton Ellis, a senior for the team in the fall.
Ellis qualified in Memphis at the Chickasaw Country Club, which, according to Robbins, sets up well for Ellis’ game.
“Clayton is very familiar with the course, and it sets up well for his game,” said Robbins. “It’s not surprising to see him do well.”
The final Tiger golfer to qualify hasn’t set foot on a course with Memphis on his shirt.
Josh Ray finished second in the Lubbock, Texas, sectional, which featured six players from the top 25 ranked Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
Although there was no age restriction on the event, Ray said he was one of the two or three youngest players in the field.
The 7,300-yard course fit well with Ray’s driving ability, which he said is his strength.
“I’ve gotten a lot more consistent over the last few summers,” Ray said.
However, his game isn’t bulletproof.
“I’ve had trouble taking it way under par,” he said.
Ray chose Memphis to continue his college career mostly because of family ties. His grandfather played football and baseball at Memphis and his father also strapped on the helmet and pads.
Robbins said he expects Ray to contribute immediately to the team that finished seventh in the C-USA tournament earlier this year.
“We’re really looking forward to having him around this year,” he said.
The U.S. Amateur will be held at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia Aug. 22-28.
In other golf news, sophomore Ian Rochester has won the Memphis Publinks Championship, a tournament that takes place on three different courses on consecutive days. It was held last weekend.
Rochester beat about 130 other players and said it was a very good ball-striking tournament for him.
Rochester won the event by six strokes finishing at eight-under par. The event took place at Fox Meadows, Audubon and Galloway. All of Rochester’s rounds were under par and under 70 strokes.
