July 7, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. - Incoming freshman Nick Austin qualified for the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, to be played July 20-25 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister, N.J.

Austin posted a 36-hole aggregate score of 2-under-par 142 to finish second in sectional qualifying on June 22 at The Federal Club. The Midlothian, Va. native shot a 2-under 70 in the opening round of qualifying and an even-par 72 in the afternoon round.

The James River High graduate made only four bogeys in the 36-hole sectional qualifier. After registering three birdies and a bogey in the morning, he turned in one under in the afternoon session and, despite some good chances at birdies, played consistently the rest of the way and scrambled effectively as the wind picked up during the second 18.

"It feels good to make it, to qualify," Austin said. "I know I have nothing to lose and will try to make birdies. It will be fun."

Austin will join the Spider men's golf team as a freshman this fall.

"It's great to see Nick having success this summer," Richmond head coach Adam Decker said. "It is especially promising to see him put together two solid 18-hole rounds in one day, which is the format of many of our tournaments."

The Junior Amateur, a championship for amateurs 17 and under, is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association.