Amateur Public Links Tourney Held in Norman

By Dean Blevins, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma - The 2009 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will be held in Norman on July 13^th through July 18^th.

In preparation, the Jimmy Austin/University of Oklahoma Golf Course has been lengthened and boasts new greens. Golfers will be participating in match play during the tournament, meaning they will be paired up against each other.

Whoever has the lowest score wins the hole, or it will be a push if the players tie.

1999 champion and former Sooner, Hunter Has, has since become a pro golfer.  

"I qualified on this course to go to the championship," Has said. "To see it come, it's pretty cool."

Current OU golfer, Liam Logan, has qualified for the tournament by shooting 10 under.

"I didn't really mess up," Logan said. "I didn't have any bogies. It built my confidence, for sure."

Learn more about the tournament, including groupings and starting times.

Admission is free, and spectators are encouraged. Tickets are not necessary for the tournament.

Last year's winner, Jack Newman of Des Moines, Iowa will be playing again this year, in an attempt to defend his title.

The winner receives a gold medal, custody of the James D. Standish Jr. Cup and automatic qualifications toward other specific amateur events.