Wednesday, July 20, 2016
by Bryan Outram, British Columbia Golf

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The historic first U.S. Amateur Qualifying event to be held in Canada at Vancouver's Marine Drive Golf Club produced club member and Simon Fraser junior Chris Crisologo as its medalist on July 18.

On a day with weather befitting a marathon qualifier, Marine Drive GC member Chris Crisologo was the medallist shooting rounds of 65-69 for a 6-under par score under blue skies and a hot July sun.

With the win, Crisologo has earned a spot in the 116th U.S. Amateur Championships, which take place Aug. 15-21 at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., near Detroit.

The long day took it’s toll on a number of golfers both mentally and physically but the Simon Fraser University product, who was earlier this year named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference, posted a 5-under par 65 in his morning round and was never challenged for the medalist position.

This will be Crisologo’s first appearance in a U.S. Amateur. “I’m definitely excited, this will be a great experience. I’m really looking forward to it,” Crisologo said.

Playing 36 holes in one day can certainly be a tough task and even though Crisologo’s familiarity with the golf course was a benefit, he didn’t get off to the start he would have liked. Over his two rounds, Crisologo recorded 10 birdies and an eagle to go along with six bogies for his 134 total.

”It’s a long grind, obviously, I didn’t start off too well, to be honest with you," Crisologo said. "I was a little bit anxious on the first few holes, I think I was 1-over through my front nine, but knowing this course so well, I’ve been here 10 years now. You start to realize there are some birdie holes out here and you just have to take it for what it’s worth.”