Golf Lessons - Plaza qualifies for U.S. Amateur

Plaza qualifies for U.S. Amateur

Posted on July 31st, 2011 by Larry D Keen

If you’re going to be playing golf at Desert Hills golf course in the next couple of weeks, don’t be surprised if you see Gabe Plaza on the putting green with a lawnmower. He’ll be getting ready for the U.S. Amateur Championship, the pinnacle of worldwide amateur golf.

After a two-day score of 139 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Plaza on Wednesday qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship, which will be played on Aug. 22-28 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.though Plaza, 24, is reaching uncharted waters with his young golf career, he knows one thing about the U.S. Amateur Championship: He’s going to be putting on some fast greens.

“I work at Desert Hills, so I’m going to try and see if I can use one of our practice greens there. I’ll have to shave it down to the ground so I have something to practice on. That’s the idea; hopefully, I get permission.”

To his knowledge, Plaza is the first Yuma-based golfer to reach the U.S. Amateur Championship. And he did it in dramatic style.

Plaza shot a 68 on Tuesday to claim second place after the first day of action. Once he sank his final putt for a 71 on Tuesday, Plaza counted up his scorecard to find he would be entering a heads-up playoff with Luke Joy for Arizona’s third and final bid to the U.S. Amateur Championship.

The pair of golfers tied on the first playoff hole, but Plaza shot a par to Joy’s bogey to claim the final qualifying berth. Plaza said he was grateful he could share the experience with his uncle, Tony Plaza, who was also his caddie.

“The support is always the no. 1 thing that makes your game play well.”

While Plaza has made a name for himself in Yuma over the past few years, he’s playing the best golf of his life this summer. on June 26, Plaza shot a 61 at Yuma Golf & Country Club to set a new course record, his third local course record since 2006.

For now, Plaza said he will just try to keep his game sharp, while acknowledging the mental preparation will likely be his biggest focus.

“Everyone is qualifying from all over the world to go to play in that tournament. The best of the best is going to be there — and I’m one of them.”

Plaza plans to travel to Wisconsin a few days before the tournament to get used to the climate and the course. As someone who’s never traveled out of the Southwest to play golf, Plaza said he expects to encounter some drastic differences.

“I’ve only been in the desert, man,” Plaza said, laughing.

The Somerton native said he took extra pride in representing a city like Yuma. when considering the achievements of fellow Yuman Mieke Canan, who made the cut in the renowned U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links tournament in July, this has been an exciting summer for the Yuma golfing community.

“this is a big accomplishment for Yuma, that’s for sure,” Plaza said. “It’s something big that I feel really, really happy about.”

<a href="http://www.yumasun.com/sports/plaza-71759-qualifies-amateur.htmltag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.yumasun.com/sports/plaza-71759-qualifies-amateur.htmlThu, 28 Jul 2011 05:45:43 GMT 00:00″>Plaza qualifies for U.S. Amateur