Monday, August 01, 2011

ROSWELL, Ga. - Kennesaw State's Ket Preamchuen qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship after she finished second at the USGA Women's Qualifier at the Ansley Gold Club at Settindown Creek on Tuesday afternoon.

Preamchuen, who shot a 1-under par 71 and finished one stroke behind Lauren Stratton, will play in the 111th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship on Aug. 8-14 at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, R.I.

"I am so proud of Ket's play this summer,” said Kennesaw State head women’s golf coach Rhyll Brinsmead. “She has worked really hard on her game this summer and deserves to earn a spot in the most prestigious amateur event in the country. I know she will represent Kennesaw State very well.”

The Atlantic Sun Conference First Team selection and National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar, Preamchuen becomes the first Kennesaw State player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. She finished this past season as the Owls leader in stroke average and had three top five finishes.

The Owls rising junior played a tremendous round as she, along with Stratton, were the only two golfers to finish the event under par. The pair began the round on the 10th hole and battled throughout the afternoon. The two were tied after the first nine holes before Preamchuen began the final nine with a bogey on the par-5 1st hole. Stratton followed with a bogey on the par-4 2nd hole and remained tied at 1-over par with five holes remaining.

After Preamchuen and Stratton each birdied the par-3 5th hole, Stratton took a one-stroke lead with a birdie on the par-4 6th, before Preamchuen pulled even with a birdie on the par-3 7th hole. On the day, Preamchuen had five birdies was even with Stratton until her fourth birdie of the day, on the final hole, secured the victory.

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