George Mason University Athletics

Edwards Qualifies for U.S. Amateur Championship

George Mason Athletics Men's Golf 7/11/2016 4:53:00 PM

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason golfer Eric Edwards has secured a spot in the United States Golf Association's oldest championship.

The rising junior will compete in the U.S. Amateur Championship after finishing second at a sectional qualifier on Saturday at Carolina Trace Country Club in Sanford, N.C. Edwards will compete in the 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 15-21 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Edwards is the first Patriot to participate in the U.S. Amateur Championship since Nick DeSimone qualified in 2007 shortly after graduation. Michael Kirby was the last Mason undergrad to qualify when he made the field in 2005 prior to his senior season.

“I'm extremely happy for Eric,” George Mason golf coach Scott King said. “He works so hard on his game and has come very close to winning or qualifying for big events. I knew it was just a matter of time. Diligence and determination pay off eventually. He is figuring out how to go low, and doing it at a crucial time is huge for him mentally.”

Edwards, a native of Salisbury, N.C., punched his ticket after carding a two-day total of seven-under 137 (72-65) over the weekend. He finished just two strokes behind medalist Alex Smalley, a rising sophomore at Duke. He stayed a stroke ahead of Doc Redman, an incoming freshman at Clemson who grabbed the last qualifying spot after defeating Ryan Cornfield in a playoff.

Edwards started with a modest even-par 72 on Friday before sprinting up the leaderboard on Saturday. He posted the low round of the day, shooting a scorching seven-under 65. He recorded eight birdies, including five on the back nine. He also birdied all four par-5 holes on Saturday, including the 18th hole.

“Going into the final round, I knew I was going to have to put up a low number,” Edwards said. “I finally got off to a good start, which is something I have been struggling with but have been working hard on. I made it a goal to attack the par 5s and was able to birdie them all. Going into the back nine I started with a long birdie putt on No. 10. That was a huge confidence boost and set the tone for the rest of the round. I knew if I kept giving myself birdie opportunities I would be able to convert them. Fortunately it all worked out.”

Edwards broke through as a sophomore during the 2015-16 season, finishing in the top 10 three times. His best finish came in the last tournament of the season as he tied for third at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships to earn All-Conference honors. He also led the team with a scoring average of 73.27, which ranks as the fourth lowest by a Mason golfer since 1993-94. The finance major was also named to the Atlantic 10 Men's Golf All-Academic Team.

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Players Mentioned

Eric Edwards: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Eric Edwards
: Freshman