Caton, Conway qualify for U.S. Amateur

Bryce Alderton

An outside services employee at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport

Coast, along with a Newport Beach resident and former UCLA golfer,

will both make the trip east to this year’s United States Amateur

golf championship after qualifying at their respective sites.

Steve Conway, who helped lead the Bruin men to a second-place

finish in June’s NCAA golf championships, shot a 2-under-par 142 in

36 holes at Saticoy Country Club in Somis on Monday to earn one of

three spots into the U.S. Amateur Aug. 16-22 at Winged Foot Golf Club

in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Conway, 22, who finished third in last month’s Southern California

Amateur championship, will make his third trip the U.S. Amateur and

second in a row. He tied Arroyo Grande’s Spencer Dennis while Tim

Hogarth from Northridge earned medalist honors in a field of 84 with

a 141 Monday.

Robert Caton, 28, a Huntington Beach resident who has worked at

Pelican Hill for four years, shot a 7-under 137 for 36 holes at the

Southern California Golf Association Members’ course in Murrieta July

26 to tie for medalist honors and qualify for his first U.S. Amateur

in his initial try.

Caton shot 66 through his first 18 holes, a round that included

five birdies, an eagle and one bogey. He was 4-under on the back

nine.

The wind increased during his final 18 holes and Caton, who

advanced to the second round of match play at the British Mid-Amateur

last August, went 2-under the final six holes to clinch a spot. Palm

Desert’s Mantor Hays also shot 137 while Brian Mahoney, also from

Palm Desert, carded a 138 to earn the final automatic spot into a

field of more than 300 expected at Winged Foot.

“The U.S. Amateur is the most prestigious, biggest tournament

there is as an amateur,” Caton said.

Conway arrived at Saticoy Country Club fatigued, after playing in

three amateur tournaments on the east coast since mid-July.

He was pleased with his play.

“I surprised myself,” Conway said. “I didn’t know if I would have

it mentally. I’m happy I came through and I think I have a chance to

do well in New York.”

Conway shot a 3-over 283 to tie for 23rd in the 46th Porter Cup

July 24 at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, N.Y. He tied for

26th at the Western Amateur in Benton Harbor, Mich., last week.