Rising Sophomore John Duke Hudson (Sonora, Texas) finished third at sectional qualifying at Riverhill Country Club in Kerrville, Texas July 26-27 to earn a spot at the United States Amateur Championship to be held at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. Aug. 23-29.

“I’m just looking forward to fulfilling a dream,” Hudson said. “All I can ask for is the opportunity, no matter what tournament it is.”

“Playing in the U.S. Amateur offers the best opportunities in the world. If you finish in the top one or two you can play in the Masters or the U.S. Open and that’s every amateur golfer’s dream.”

Hudson, who beat out 63 other golfers, fired a 71 and 68 in two rounds to go five-under par and take the third and final qualifying spot.

The U.S. Amateur is the largest amateur golf tournament in the country and features the top 188 players in the world.

“This is huge for our program.  It gives us the opportunity to play on a national stage,” said Head Men’s Golf Coach Mark McEntire.  It’s a nationally televised event on ESPN.  It puts us with the top schools in the country.  It’s proof that our program is moving in the right direction.  Our players are competing with the top players in the country.”

Hudson played number one for the Cougars during his freshman year, and carried a 74.57 stroke average, competing in all 12 events.

Hudson is the first Cougar to qualify for the U.S. Amateur since Bruce McDonald in 2003.  McDonald advanced to the match-play rounds.  He played in the U.S. Amateur in 2002 as well, advancing to the round of 16.