Rob Cowan gains entry into U.S. Senior Amateur from Gibson Bay.

RICHMOND, KY (July 20, 2022) – Rob Cowan of Wellesley, Ontario successfully qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur at the qualifier hosted at Gibson Bay Golf Course on Wednesday. By one stroke, Cowan claimed the lone qualifying spot available in the USGA National Championship that will begin in late August at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Massachusetts.

The Canadian was the only player in the field to not post an over-par score, recording 72 (E) in the clubhouse after jarring a thirty-foot putt for birdie on the 18^th hole. Despite two early bogeys in his first four holes, Cowan righted the ship from the 5^th hole on and was bogey-free for the rest of his round. Now, the 57-year-old can plan a late summer’s trip to New England to compete in the premier senior amateur golf tournament across the world.

Jim Murphy of Crestwood, the medalist of last year’s U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier in Kentucky, finished one stroke back of Cowan with 73 (+1). Murphy is the first alternate from today’s play as a result, while Buddy Bryant of Lexington is the second alternate following a score of 74 (+2).

NOTES & STATS

• The long par-three 3^rd was the hardest hole of the event playing to a stroke-to-par average of +0.86. Five players were able to sneak past it with a par while no one was able to record a birdie.
• The par-four 8^th was Gibson Bay’s easiest hole and the only one to average a score under-par at -0.10. Every player in the field left the 8^th with no score worse than par.
• Any statement of one side being harder than the other on Wednesday would be rendered false, as both the front nine and back nine had the exact same average score of 39.87 (+3.87). That led to a total course average of 79.74 (+7.74).

Click here to view the final results

Click here to view other U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier results across the country

The Kentucky Golf Association extends its thanks to Jason Eberle, PGA Head Golf Professional and the entire staff at Gibson Bay Golf Course for their assistance in conducting today’s Qualifier. Additionally, the KGA lends its appreciation to each player who competed in the event.

The next USGA Qualifier on the KGA’s schedule will be held on Tuesday, August 2 at Bowling Green Country Club. A full field will compete at that event looking to earn a place at this fall’s U.S Mid-Am in Wisconsin. For today’s competitors at Gibson Bay, many members of the field will turn their focus now to the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Senior Amateur which will be at Kearney Hill Golf Links on August 15-16. Registration for that event is open and can be completed by clicking here.

About the Kentucky Golf Association:
The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is one of the three organizations encompassed under Golf House Kentucky, in addition to the Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF) and Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA). The Kentucky Golf Association represents the amateur body of Kentucky’s golfers working in assistance with the United States Golf Association (USGA). The KGA provides a wide range of services, including handicapping, USGA course and slope ratings, and tournament management software to its Member Clubs. The KGA also operates the state’s premier amateur tournaments along with USGA National Championship qualifiers. Alongside the KGF and KPGA, the KGA strives to promote the benefits and enjoyment of golf while continuing to grow the sport across the Commonwealth.

Media Contact:
Ethan Fisher, PGA | Golf House Kentucky | efisher@kygolf.org | (502) 792-9703