The Atlanta Athletic Club has started the countdown to the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championship with the theme “Remember the Legacy and Grow the Game.” The Athletic Club will host the 114th U.S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 11-17, 2014.
“We’re looking forward to hosting the best amateur golfers in the world,” said Glenn Cornell, the co-general chairman of the Atlanta Athletic Club’s U.S. Amateur Executive Committee. “Our goal is to make this the greatest Amateur Championship ever.”
The U.S. Amateur Championship is the oldest golf championship in the country. This will be the 114th competition of the event, which began in 1895.
The theme “Remember the Legacy and Grow the Game,” encompasses the Atlanta Athletic Club’s goals and attitudes about the Amateur Championship. The club desires to draw upon its association with golfing greats like Bobby Jones, who served as president of the Atlanta Athletic Club and was an active member until his death in 1971. The 2014 Amateur Championship will mark the 90th anniversary of the first of five U.S. Amateur Championships won by Jones.
The club also understands the importance of encouraging a new generation of golfers to participate in the game and has several initiatives planned that are designed to create interest and involvement.
“We believe golf is a game that every generation can enjoy,” said Charlie Anderson, co-general chairman. “We will have several special cross-generational events and initiatives planned.”
A field of 312 players will gather at the Atlanta Athletic Club for the U.S. Amateur Championship. They will compete for two rounds of stroke play on the club’s two championship courses, Highlands and Riverside. The top 64 will advance to match play, which will be held on the Highlands Course.
The Athletic Club has a legacy of hosting major championships. Since moving to its current location in North Fulton County, the club has hosted the:
● 2011 PGA Championship
● 2002 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
● 2001 PGA Championship
● 1990 U.S. Women’s Open
● 1984 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship
● 1982 Junior World Cup
● 1981 PGA Championship
● 1976 U.S. Open Championship
The championship is open to amateur golfers who hold a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4. Most players qualify for the field through local and sectional qualifiers. The record number of entrants is 7,920 in 1999.
Former U.S. Amateur champions include Tiger Woods (1994-97), Phil Mickelson (1990), Matt Kuchar (1997), Jack Nicklaus (1959 and 1961) and Arnold Palmer (1954).
