By Dalton Balthaser
Being medalist in one U.S. Amateur 36-hole qualifying event is hard enough.
But how about doing it three times in a row?
Davis Chatfield, aided by a first round of 63, claimed medalist honors in #USAmateur qualifying administered by the Rhode Island Golf Association Wednesday at Crestwood Country Club (par 71, 6,603 yards).
Play was suspended on Tuesday due to inclement weather. Play resumed Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. with a few groups needing to finish.
Brad Valois of Warwick, R.I. claimed the second and final spot at 6 under for the 36 holes. He birdied his only two holes this morning to punch his ticket.
The 121st U.S. Amateur will take place Aug. 9-15 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.
Chatfield was medalist in U.S. Amateur qualifying in 2018 at Pawtucket Country Club, in 2019 at Metacomet Golf Club and here at Crestwood.
It will be his fourth consecutive trip to the U.S. Amateur. He was exempt last year when qualifying was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is going to be awesome to go to Oakmont,” said Chatfield, 22, of Attleboro, Mass. “I have heard nothing but good things about it. I can’t wait to get out there and play it. I am sure a lot of my friends and family will make the trip there because it will be the closest one that I have played in. Bandon Dunes (Ore.), Pebble Beach (Calif.) and Pinehurst (N.C.) aren’t exactly close to Massachusetts.”
Chatfield got off to a red-hot start with a bogey-free 63. He then followed it with a 69.
“I felt great after the first round,” said Chatfield. “But anything can happen, and anyone can make a run. I wanted to get to at least 10 under after shooting 8 under in the first round. That’s what I wanted to shoot for.”
Chatfield did just that with a birdie on No. 18 (par 5, 525 yards), his final hole of qualifying this morning.
Trying to qualify for the U.S. Amateur is one of the hardest things to do in golf. It is a mental grind that requires focus on each hole. One critical mistake may cost you a chance entirely.
“Playing in college, we play a lot of 36-hole days,” said Chatfield, a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame. “I am used to it. These type of 36-hole days are a lot faster than what we play in college. Mentally knowing that I can withstand 36 holes is important because I have done it a lot before.”
Last year at Bandon Dunes, Chatfield made the Round of 16, his best performance ever in the U.S. Amateur. He made it to the Round of 32 in his first trip to the event at Pebble Beach in 2018. He knows what it takes to make it deep in the event.
“I have been playing quite well recently,” said Chatfield. “I don’t give myself enough credit with my game. I need to keep believing in myself because I know I can play well in these big events. I have proven that.”
Valois has played in three previous U.S. Amateurs. He played in 2008 at Pinehurst, 2009 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. and in 2012 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. where he made match play.
“It’s nice to get back to the U.S. Amateur,” said Valois, 34. “Especially as a Mid-Amateur. I figured that if I birdied the two holes I had to play today, I would be in and if I made one birdie I would be in a playoff for the last spot.”
He thought correctly.
His first swing of the day was on No. 17 (par 3, 147 yards). He smoothed an 8-iron to three feet beneath the hole and converted to get to 5 under total.
He then blasted a beautiful drive over the trees on No. 18, which cut the corner and left him 235 yards. He striped a 2-iron to the front of the green and two-putted for birdie from 35 feet.
“I haven’t qualified for a tournament of this caliber in a long time,” said Valois. “I had no expectations coming into qualifying. I just wanted to get 36 holes in to prepare for the Rhode Island Amateur next week. I am pleasantly surprised with how I played but I am proud to have finished the way I did. I am looking forward to going to Oakmont.”