Andrew Ruthkoski Advances To Sweet 16 At Michigan Amateur
6/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 20, 2003
CHARLEVOIX, Mich. - Michigan State golfers Andrew Ruthkoski (Muskegon, Mich.) and James Chestnut (Grand Blanc, Mich.) have advanced to the Sweet 16 following Thursday's match play (June 19) at the 92nd Michigan Amateur Championship at the Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix.
Ruthkoski, who was the runner-up in last year's Michigan Amateur, advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Shane Clark, 1-up in the morning and posting a 2 and 1 decision over Alex Balog in the afternoon. Ruthkoski will face A.J. Balulis today (Friday, June 20), at 8 a.m. to move into the quarterfinals.
"You always want to come back and do better (than the previous year)," said Ruthkoski. "I want to have the opportunity again to play in the finals."
The junior-to-be shot a record-breaking round 64 on Wednesday (June 18) in stroke play at the championship. He finished stroke play with a two-round score of 134 (70-64), six under par to take medalist honors. In doing so, he set three Michigan Amateur Championship records: lowest two-round total to earn medalist honors (134); lowest single round in a Michigan Amateur Championship (64); and competitive course record at Belvedere Golf Club (64). In addition, he tied the course record (casual round of 64 made by Chuck Kocsis on October 6, 1964).
 James Chestnut advanced to the round of 16 at the 92nd Michigan Amateur Championship.  | |
Meanwhile, Chestnut opened match play with a 4 and 3 decision over David Noe. He moved into the round of 16 with a 3 and 2 decision over Adam Walicki, who was the No. 2 seed at the Michigan Amateur. Chestnut will face Rick Williams at 9:10 a.m. to move into quarterfinal action.
Third-round and quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Friday (June 20), while the semifinals and championship match are slated for Saturday (June 21).