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USGA To Conduct U.S. Amateur Qualifying In Puerto Rico In 2004
October 15, 2003
Far Hills, N.J. - Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur will be conducted in Puerto Rico in 2004, the United States Golf Association has announced.
This is the first time any qualifying for a USGA championship has been held in Puerto Rico, a commonwealth associated with the United States. It is a Caribbean island located approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.
"Representatives from the Puerto Rico Golf Association believe that a sizeable number of players from Caribbean, Central and South American countries are very interested in competing in USGA championships," said David Fay, USGA executive director. "By conducting a sectional qualifier for the Amateur, we should begin to gauge that level of interest."
The 36-hole qualifying competition for the 2004 U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. will take place between July 21 and August 3, 2004. The Puerto Rico site will be in addition to the more than 100 that will take place across the nation. More than 8,000 amateur golfers who meet the handicap index requirement of 2.4 or less enter the U.S. Amateur annually. The winner earns an exemption into the next U.S. Open and British Open, and, historically, has been invited to play in the next Masters Tournament. The championship will be played August 16-22.
Puerto Rico has already hosted the 2003 Copa de las Americas, an international amateur team event, and will host the 2004 World Amateur Team Championships at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande from October 20-31.
E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org
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