Schnell Qualifies for U.S. Amateur

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska junior Brady Schnell has earned a spot in the field at the U.S. Amateur Championship scheduled for Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., next month.

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Schnell qualified for the U.S. Amateur by capturing medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Sectional held on Thursday at the Country Club of Lincoln. Schnell completed two rounds of action with a nine-under par 135 total, three shots in front of Scottsbluff’s Nathan Lashley.

 

Schnell opened the 36-hole qualifier with a five-under 67 on the Country Club of Lincoln layout to take a two-stroke advantage into the afternoon round. Schnell continued his strong play in the afternoon with a four-under par 68.

 

A graduate of Omaha’s MillardWestHigh School, Schnell had a strong spring campaign for Coach Bill Spangler, and capped his sophomore year with a team-best 73.8 stroke average. Schnell also tied the school record with a single-round of 65 in the Pioneer Golf Classic in March.

 

Competition in the U.S. Amateur Championship, the USGA’s oldest championship, will begin on Aug. 22 at Merion Golf Club, with play continuing through Aug. 28. The U.S. Amateur Championship began in 1895.

 

Schnell was not the only Husker to fare well at the Amateur qualifier. Incoming freshman Trent Price of Lincoln is the first alternate from the section after finishing two rounds at two-under par 142, including a 68 in the second round. Senior Judd Cornell was fourth in the qualifier with a 144 total. Spangler and several of his Huskers will be among the competitors in next week’s Centennial Nebraska Amateur Championship at Omaha Country Club.