Murray State golfer Patrick Newcomb continued his good play this summer by taking medalist honors Tuesday in the United States Golf Association regional qualifier for the United States Amateur at The Brickyard at Riverside Golf Club in Macon, Ga. 
 
Newcomb advances to the 112th playing of the US Amateur (Aug. 13-19) at Cherry Hills Country Club at Cherry Hills Village, Colo.
 
He’ll be the first Murray State men’s golfer to compete in the US Amateur since 2006 when his brother Nick Newcomb qualified.
 
Newcomb, a senior for the Racers this fall, fired rounds of 68-70 for a 6-under-par total of 138, good for a two-shot win over Jack Larkin (Atlanta, Ga.) and Dean Hester (Dublin, Ga.) who each finished at 140.
 
Newcomb started with a brilliant round of 68 on Monday that featured a pair of birdies to start and another flurry of three straight birdies after he had made seven straight pars. In the final round, Newcomb (Benton, Ky.) made all pars in the first eight holes and made four straight birdies from holes nine through 12. Newcomb made nine birdies for the 36 holes and had only three bogeys.
 
Newcomb said his goal when arriving at the US Amateur qualifier was to play two solid rounds. 
 
Mission accomplished.
 
“With my Dad as my caddy again, our motto was ‘play two solid rounds and go to Colorado’,” Newcomb said. “Both days I started well and was able to hit my ball to all the right spots. I had a stretch in the middle both days when I was able to attack the part of the course that was a little easier and made some birdies. I’m really happy with the way I played.”
 
It was about 18 months ago when Newcomb was nearing the end of his sophomore season at MSU and knew some changes were in order. Those changes were accomplished with the help of his swing coach, Todd Trimble in Paducah, Ky.
 
In the last year, Newcomb has been at the top of his game. He has two Kentucky Amateur championships and was named the Kentucky Golf Association Player of the Year. He also earned honors as the Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Year in the spring. He has also played in the prestigious Southern Amateur where he placed in the top-15. 
 
“After making those swing changes, I feel like I can play at a high level and on those days when I putt well, I can really put up some good scores,” Newcomb said. “I’ve been striking the ball better than I ever have in the last year or so and I credit Todd with helping me make the changes I needed to make.”
 
Recent MSU golfers to play in USGA national championships include: Nick Newcomb (2006) US Amateur and US Public Links Amateur and (2008) US Public Links Amateur. Jared Wolfe (2009) US Public Links Amateur. Delaney Howson (2010-12) Canadian Women’s Amateur and (2011) US Women’s Amateur. Alli Weaver (2011) US Public Links Amateur.
 
From: MSU Media Relations
 
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