On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, The Maryland State Golf Association hosted the 123rd U.S. Amateur Qualifying at Clustered Spires Golf Club in Fredrick, MD. The day consisted of 36 holes of stroke play ending with two qualifiers and two alternates. The course was played at 6,822 yards for a par 71.
Carson Bacha of York, PA, played through an excellent day on the course, shooting 10-under-par with rounds of 67-65–132. Starting the day strong, getting six birdies, ten pars, and two bogeys. In the second round of 18-hole stroke play, Bacha shot a 65, receiving eight birdies, eight pars, and two bogeys. Bacha was one of two players who received a qualifying spot.
Kyle Carranza of Hollywood, MD, also received the other qualifying spot shooting 10-under-par with rounds of 67-65–132. Carranza started the day off shooting seven birdies, nine pars, and with a double bogey on No. 12. He kept the pace up and shot 65 on the second round of stroke play, with eight birdies, nine pars, and ending the day off with a double bogey.
Between both players that shot 10-under-par, they made 29 birdies.
There were two alternate players. Lorenzo Sanz and Bennett Espenshade,
Lorenzo Sanz from Glen Arm, MD, shot nine-under-par shooting 69-64–133. He received the first alternate after shooting thirteen pars, four birdies, and one double bogey on No.10 during the first round. In the second round, Sanz chipped in for an eagle on No. 15, six birdies, ten pars, and one bogey on No. 18.
Bennett Espenshade from Baltimore, MD, shot 8-under-par, shooting 67-67–134. He received the second alternate spot after shooting six birdies, ten pars, and two bogeys during the first round. Espenshade made twelve pars, five birdies, and one bogey during the second round.
The 123rd U.S Amateur will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, August 14-20, 2023.
