USGA

RECORD ENTRIES FOR
UPCOMING U.S. AMATEUR
AT PEBBLE BEACH

July 23, 1999

FAR HILLS, N.J. - An unprecedented number of golfers will try to qualify beginning Monday (July 26) for the 99th U.S. Amateur Championship next month at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.

The Championship is set for Aug. 16-22 and will be televised by ESPN (Aug. 18-20) and NBC (Aug. 21-22). The United States Golf Association accepted a record 7,920 entries for this Championship, some 1,254 more than the previous Amateur record of 6,666 set in 1997 when the Handicap Limit was at 3.4, a stroke higher than it is currently.

In fact, this Amateur received more entries than any USGA championship ever, including the U.S. Open.

"We are seeing the continued growth of top-notch amateur golf in this country, and when you put increasing interest together with a wonderful championship venue like Pebble Beach Golf Links, it's a winning combination," said USGA President Buzz Taylor.

Daily tickets for the U.S. Amateur are $15. Tickets for the entire week are $60. They can be purchased in advance by calling toll-free (877) 473-2253. Tickets are limited.

The winners of the U.S. Amateur have become household names in recent years - Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Tiger Woods. Woods won the Amateur crown a record three consecutive times from 1994-96, followed by Matt Kuchar in 1997 and Hank Kuehne in 1998. Kuchar, of Lake Mary, Fla., will compete next month, but the others have since joined the professional ranks.

The top returning player from a year ago is runner-up Tom McKnight of Galax, Va., who has already played in the Masters and U.S. Open in 1999. Only 312 golfers will qualify to play at Pebble Beach. The Championship begins with golfers playing 36 holes of stroke play (Aug. 16-17) to determine the top 64 scorers, who will advance to match play (Aug. 18-22).