Pack's Park qualifies for U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship

LONGMONT, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - June 7, 2011) - CSU-Pueblo freshman golfer Jonathan Park (Fr., Denver, Colo.) qualified for the United States Amateur Public Links Championship Monday, putting him one step away from qualifying for the Master's.

Park shot two-under-par over the two-round qualifier, placing him tied for third in the 65-member U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifier at the Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont. With the top three earning a spot in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Park won a playoff hole over Englewood-native, Clinton Miller.

Park was also joined by CSU-Pueblo teammate, Sean Thomas (Jr., Arvada, Colo.), who finished one-under-par to be named the second alternate to the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.  He is the second of two alternates.

"To have our program produce two of the top five finishers at this event is a huge accomplishment," Pack men's golf coach Josh Koschke said. 

Park, who just completed his freshman season with the Pack, overcame two double bogeys in his morning round by posting 10 birdies for the day.

"This is the hardest step," Park said of qualifying for a USGA championship. "Once I get there I think I'll do fine."

Park, the 2010 Colorado Golf Association Junior Stroke Play champion, recently finished 16th individually in the NCAA Division II Championships.

Park will play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links June 27-July 2 at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. He will be making his USGA championship debut.  The winner of this tournament will compete in the 2012 Master's.