The Maryland State Golf Association, in association with the United States Golf Association, conducted qualifying for the 2023 U.S. Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Worthington Manor on Tuesday, September 6. A field of 55 teams aspired to qualify for a USGA championship, but only three teams could achieve their goals. The 8th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball will be held at the Kiawah Island Club in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Two teams finished the day at 64 (-8) to share co-medalist honors. The team of Justin Young and Scott Shingler were first to post the score of eight-under-par, followed by Keegan Boone and Kevin Johnson (pictured). Young and Shingler strung together six straight birdies on the back-nine, shooting 31 to finish at 64 (-8). Later in the day, Boone and Johnson started their round by shooting 30 on the front, with Johnson making an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole. Boone made two birdies on the back nine to get them to eight-under-par. Due to darkness, the playoff for the last spot and two alternate spots would have to come back in the morning on September 7th.
Returning to Worthington Manor in the morning were the teams of Chris Baloga-Will Wears, Zack Miller-Matthew Barnes, Don Phattiyakul-Tyden Wilson, and Christopher Davidson-Adam Folco. All four teams were able to shoot 65 (-7) the day before getting them into the playoff. Hole #10 was the first playoff hole, with Miller-Barnes and Davidson-Folco going first. Miller hit his second shot to about two feet, securing an easy birdie putt and advancing to the next playoff hole. Davidson-Folco were unable to make birdie and waited to see what the teams of Phattiyakul-Wilson and Baloga-Wears would do. Baloga hit his second shot into #10 to about three feet and left himself an easy uphill birdie putt. Wilson was able to make a birdie putt on #10 to advance to the second playoff hole and knocking out the team of Davidson-Folco. #14 was the site of the second playoff hole, where Wilson, Barnes, and Baloga made birdies for their teams. The third playoff hole was #15, a 191-yard par-3. First up was Miller and Barnes. Miller put his first shot into the greenside bunker, and Barnes left himself about 6 feet for birdie. Next was Baloga-Wears, where both hit their shots to about four feet, giving them great looks for birdie. Last was Phattiyakul and Wilson, with Phattiyakul also hitting into the bunker, and Wilson left himself about 15-20 feet for a birdie. Will Wears was able to make his birdie putt to secure the final qualifying spot for him and his partner Chris Baloga. Matthew Barnes just missed his birdie putt and was able to secure the first alternate for his team. Phattiyakul and Wilson ended up with a bogey and earned themselves the second alternate spot.
