Ewald qualifies for U.S. Am.

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jul 30, 2008

Whatever disappointment Matt Ewald felt after his third-round exit at the Kansas Amateur two weeks ago, the Washburn senior-to-be went a long way towards erasing Monday.

Playing in a U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier at Staley Farms Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo., Ewald took third and clinched a berth in next month's U.S. Amateur. Ewald shot a two-round total of 143 and finished tied for second with Scotland's Stephen Clark. Former Kansas Amateur champion Drew Lethem of Camdenton, Mo., won with a 138.

The U.S. Amateur will be held Aug. 18-24 at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The tourney will consist of 312 amateurs, who will play two rounds of stroke play to qualify for a spot in the 64-man match play bracket.

Kansas State's Robert Streb also qualified for the Amateur for the second straight year, shooting a 4-under 136 to tie for second at the Monday qualifier at Tulsa Country Club. Streb came within one shot of making the match play a year ago.

JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP -- Topekan Luke McCalla placed third in the 11-under division at the KJGA Junior Section Team Championship, held July 21-23 at Reflection Ridge Golf Club in Wichita. McCalla finished with a two-day total of 88, one stroke away from first.

Ben Moser was seventh in the 18-year-old division, shooting a 154 to finish seven strokes out of first. Brandon Falley was one back at 155 after finishing the first round two off the lead.

PILES MAKES TEAM -- Topekan Riley Piles was named to the Kansas Junior Cup team that will take on Nebraska Aug. 3-5 at Kansas City Country Club in a Ryder Cup-style format.

Manhattan's Ben Lowman and Clarke Fry also made the team and also will play on the Kansas team in the Ozark Challenge, a competition with teams from Missouri and Oklahoma to be held Aug. 6-8 at Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg.