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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
McHugh Reflects on Play in USGA Public Links Championship
7/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 16, 2010
Boca Raton, Fla. - One stroke may have kept Florida Atlantic University men's golfer Kelly McHugh from qualifying for the final two rounds of the prestigious United States Golf Association's Public Links Championship, but the rising senior came away with valuable experience for his final collegiate season.
McHugh was one of 154 players in the tournament field that competed from July 12-17 at the Bryan Park Golf & Conference Center near Greensboro, N.C.
"It was one of the best tournaments I've had the opportunity to play," noted McHugh afterwards. "The USGA treated the golfers like royalty. There were ball washers on every hole, numerous volunteers and 59,000 bottles of water for the entire week. It was a good experience."
Players participated in stroke play for the first two days, starting on July 12, on the challenging 7,218-yard, par-71 course. McHugh got used to playing the course's bentgrass-style greens during practice rounds on July 10-11.
"Being from Florida, where we play on Bermuda-style greens, I've never played on bentgrass greens," said McHugh. "There were a lot of ridges, knobs and more break in the putts. It took a while to get comfortable. However, overall, it was a fair course setup."
The veteran FAU golfer started the opening round in the afternoon pairings, which meant that he had to overcome rain while playing over the opening nine holes. The weather conditions affected the ball striking ability and contributed to a four-over-par 75 score.
"I originally warmed up (on July 12) in overcast and good scoring conditions," said McHugh. "However, the rain affected the flight of the ball and kept the afternoon starting players from matching the success of the players that had started play under good scoring conditions in the morning. I just had to battle through and play my best."
McHugh improved during the second round, on July 13, with a two-over-par 73 score, featuring a dazzling birdie on the final 18th hole. His two-day 148 score was one shot shy of qualifying for match play during the rest of the tournament.
"I hit a 6-iron to within a foot of the pin," said the Lakeland, Fla., native. "Even though I didn't make the cut, I know that I can play with the nation's best amateur players. I have used this summer to improve and have gained a lot of confidence in my game. I believe that this fall and next spring will be my best season yet (at FAU)."
McHugh qualified for the USGA Public Links Championships by posting two strong rounds at the Don Shula Golf Club in Miami earlier this summer. He also played in the Florida Amateur Tournament on Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge and the Orange Tree Golf Club in Orlando. He will conclude the summer by qualifying for the United States Amateur in late July.
McHugh recorded a 74.5 scoring average over 23 rounds during his junior season, posting a season-best 67-stroke score to place seventh in the Stetson Tournament last fall.
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