Barrett Qualifies for U.S. Golf Amateurs

Palisadian Sean Barrett seems to have a nack for pulling off his best golf shots when he needs them most. It happened at the Ivy League Championships earlier in the year and it happened again last weekend, when he eagled the second-to-last hole to finish tied for second at a tournament near Napa Valley that qualified him for the United States Amateur Championships held in Philadelphia in late August. Using a wedge from 117 yards, Barrett lofted a shot onto the green. above the hole, then watched as his ball rolled 15 feet downhill and into the cup for an eagle. The shot moved Barrett into a tie at 4-under par, good enough to qualify for the U.S. Amateur by one stroke. ‘I was considering using my nine iron but my caddie, Greg Heidt, suggested I use a wedge and I’m glad I listened to him,’ Barrett said. ‘I saw it drop on the green and then I heard guys in back of the hole cheering and I couldn’t believe it.’ Barrett played two solid rounds on fast greens and in sizzling heat to qualify for the U.S. Amateurs–one of the most competitive tournaments in the country, where aging pros are matched against top collegiate players and even high school stars. ‘There is a lot of history to the tournament so I’m excited to be going,’ Barrett said. ‘I always set high expectations for myself. I’m hoping I can compete well.’ In the Ivy League Championships, Barrett shot even par to finish second as a sophomore. In that event, he hit a three-iron that lipped out for double eagle, then tapped in his eagle putt on the second-to-last hole, to clinch the runner-up position. Barrett attends Wharton School of Business but plays golf for the University of Pennsylvania. Being a student of the game, Barrett knows that players who fare well in the U.S. Amateur are able to putt and chip well. ‘That’s what I’ll be practicing the next few weeks. You don’t necessarily have to drive it far to succeed there, but your short game needs to be on.’ Barrett, who lives near Riviera Country Club, started playing golf at the age of 6 under the tutelage of his father and Eddie Merrins, now the pro emeritus at Bel Air Country Club.