YORK – Maine Golf played host to a U.S. Amateur qualifier at The Ledges GC on Wednesday, June 28, a 36-hole affair that is a marathon for all players in the field. Golfers from around the country came to the York golf course in hopes of advancing to the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills GC in Colorado later this summer. Only two spots were available from a starting field of 84 players, making it a tall order to advance to the country’s national championship.
Mother Nature made things even more difficult for the players on Wednesday, with rain and thunderstorms making an already long day even more tedious. On the day, play was suspended once in the morning due to heavy rain, followed by the final delay of the day that came in the early evening as thunderstorms moved through the area. Play was suspended for the day at that point, and players that were still in contention had to come back on Thursday morning to finish their second rounds.
In the end it was two players from bordering Quebec that earned the two spots at Cherry Hills. Laurent Desmarchais earned medalist honors in the qualifier, shooting two impressive rounds at the difficult Ledges course, firing 68-66-134 (-10) to earn his first start in the U.S. Amateur. Grabbing the second spot was William Duquette, who has been competing against Desmarchais his entire life in Canadian tournaments. With rounds of 68-70—138 (-6), Duquette punched his ticket to the U.S. Amateur for the second time. He previously qualified at The Ledges as well back in 2021.
Bennett Berg finished as the low Mainer on the day, shooting rounds of 75-73–148 (+4).
Maine Golf would like to thank the staff and crew at The Ledges for working hard to have the course in fantastic shape despite the difficult weather on the day.
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