June 30, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After two rounds of stroke play and three rounds of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Penn State's T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) has been edged out of competition during round of 16 after being defeated by Todd Baek 3 & 1.
Match play for the championship commenced Wednesday with 32 pairings taking on the 6,832 yards and par-70 Bandon Trails course. Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.), who was seeded 18 going into the match play portion of the championship, was paired with 47 seed Kevin Miller of Dover, Ohio. Miller took control for the larger majority of the round, only allowing DeGol to 1-up him once on the ninth hole. From there out, Miller came back to reach all square on the 10th and finish out the round 3 & 2 over DeGol.
Howe faired better during the first round of match play as he took on 39 seed Clifford Blanquicet Jr. of Sanford, N.C. The round, which lasted 19 holes, was dominated by Blanquicet who only allowed Howe to reach all square with him on all 18 holes. On the conclusive 19th hole, Howe upset Blanquicet when he ended the round 1 up.
Thursday held two rounds of match play on the 7,016 yards, par-71 Old Macdonald course. In the morning round, Howe took on Maxwell Marisco of Las Vegas, Nev. Howe took control on the first eight holes, reaching 2 up over Marisco on holes three and five. Marisco made a comeback on holes 13 through 17, but once again Howe took the round into 19 holes as he reached all square with Marisco on the 18th hole. For the second day in a row, Howe upset his competition on the 19th hole.
In the round of 16, Howe took on Todd Baek of San Diego, Calif. The pair started off all square on the first hole, before Baek went on a hot streak and stayed up on Howe for the following six holes. Howe fought back to stand all square with Baek for the next four holes. After Baek's 1 up on the 12th hole, the duo reached all square for the final time on the 13th. Baek controlled the final four holes to defeat Howe 3 & 1.