WILMINGTON – Jamal Hutchison ’23 stood on a putting green Monday at the Country Club of Landfall, beaming with a golden ticket to the U.S. Amateur in his hands.
The Christ School alumnus knew nothing less than red numbers would do to become one of 312 golfers to advance past the second and final stage of qualifying. Despite closing with a bogey, Jamal shot two-under 70 to clear his last hurdle for the U.S. Amateur, which is August 10-16 at the Merion (Pa.) Golf Club, just outside of Philadelphia.
Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur requires a low handicap and high amounts of luck, patience, and skill. There are two stages of qualifying – local and final – that are 18 holes each.
Jamal placed fourth out of 66 golfers at a June local qualifier in Southern Pines, N.C., with a score of 5-under 67.
Only 10 golfers and two alternates advanced out of Monday’s final qualifier played on a marsh/ocean course which features nine holes designed by Pete Dye and nine designed by Jack Nicklaus. Jamal came in seventh place overall. South Africa’s Pearce Lewin won the qualifier with a 66.
Jamal is a rising senior at N.C. Central University and was the team’s MVP last season after averaging a score of 74.2 for 18 holes. He is from Fletcher, N.C. In his high school career, Jamal was a three-time all-conference player and the 2022 Carolinas Athletic Association Player of the Year.