July 2, 2010
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PINEHURST, NC – University of Iowa junior Barrett Kelpin was one of the final eight competitors of one the most prestigious amateur events in the nation, the Men’s North & South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst.
What started as an event to generate publicity for the new Pinehurst resort has evolved into the longest consecutive-running amateur golf championship in the nation, and is now in its 110th year. Competitors vie for the coveted Putterboy Trophy and past champions include PGA greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange and Corey Pavin, among others.
Kelpin won a 3 & 2 opening round match against Zachary Edmondson before taking on Robert Hoadley of Southern Pines, NC. Kelpin picked up the 3 & 2 victory again, sending him to a third round match against Clayton Rotz of Chambersburg, PA. Kelpin showed no signs of slowing up with a dominating 4 & 3 win to send him to the quarterfinal round of eight golfers.
Kelpin, seeded 11th, faced 19th-seeded Kyle Peterman of Western Illinois University. Peterman tied for second at Iowa’s own Hawkeye Invitational in April. Peterman finished the tournament with a 215 (-1), a stroke ahead of Kelpin’s third place, even par 216. The two battled through 18 at Pinehurst before Peterman picked up the win after 20 holes.
The top-eight finish can be added to an already successful summer thus far for Kelpin. The Kalamazoo, MI, native placed sixth at the Monroe Invitational in June after firing a 279 (-1). Kelpin is joined on the amateur tour by fellow Hawkeye golfers sophomore Ryan Marks and senior Vince India.