SOUTHERN PINES – Calmness under pressure with a proper sense of urgency. Consistent ball-striking and putting interspersed with the right amount of luck.
It takes a unique temperament to qualify for the U.S. Amateur golf tournament.
Jamal Hutchison ’23 had it all working for him Wednesday at the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club. His round of 5-under 67 – one stroke off the lead – allowed the Christ School alumnus to tie for fourth place out of 66 players.
Thirteen individuals and two alternates from each local qualifier advance to the national round. U.S. Amateur qualifying at the local level (throughout the month of June) and then nationally (July 13-22) is only 18 holes each, which means that every wayward shot is costly.
Jamal birdied six holes (No. 1, No. 3, No. 5, No. 10, No. 15, and No. 18) at Mid Pines on a day when he needed every red score.
Jamal is a rising senior at N.C. Central University and was voted the team’s MVP by the coaching staff last season after averaging a score of 74.2 for 18 holes. He is from Fletcher, North Carolina.