Near-Record Number Of Golfers Sought To Play Championship In Bergen County

PARAMUS, NJ — More than 7,700 golfers sought to play in the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship scheduled next week in Paramus — the fourth-highest entry total in the competition's history, which dates back to 1895, a U.S. Golf Association fact sheet said Monday.

A starting field of 312 qualifying players will compete in 36 holes of stroke play for this year's championship, beginning on Aug. 15. After one round each on the Ridgewood and Arcola Country Clubs, the field will be cut to 64 scorers, who will then compete in the match play portion proceeded by a 36-hole championship match, the association said.

Ridgewood Country Club will be set up at 7,487 yards and will play to a par of 35-36-71. Ridgewood will also host the championship this year, the first time since 1974, when Jerry Pate defeated John P. Grace.

Arcola Country Club, which will serve as the co-host course for the two rounds of stroke play, will be set up at 7,256 yards and play to a par of 35-35-70.

Qualifying for the championships took place over the summer at 94 sites across the U.S. and two international sites. To view a full list of qualifying results, visit usamateur.org.

The championship schedule is as follows:

Aug. 15 (Monday): First round, stroke play (18 holes)

Aug. 16 (Tuesday): Second round, stroke play (18 holes)

Aug. 17 (Wednesday): Round of 64, match play

Aug. 18 (Thursday): Rounds of 32 and 16, match play

Aug. 19 (Friday): Quarterfinal round, match play

Aug. 20 (Saturday): Semifinal round, match play

Aug. 21 (Sunday): Championship match (36 holes)

Among the benefits enjoyed by the U.S. Amateur champion are: a gold medal and custody of the championship trophy for the ensuing year, an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Open at the L.A. Country Club, and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Amateurs and the next Open Championship.