July 18, 2008

MILWAUKEE -- Kelly Kretz advanced to the round of 16 at this week's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship held at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colo., but was eliminated from the match play tournament Thursday after Jack Newman defeated Kretz by a final tally of 5 and 3.

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Out of 155 participants, Kretz advanced through stroke play qualifying and the first two rounds of match play. The to-be sophomore at MU eliminated Loyola Marymount's Brian Locke, 2 and 1, to advance through the round of 32, as Locke conceded holes 14 and 15.

Kretz bogied the par-4, hole 10 in the round of 16 to allow Newman, a Michigan State Spartan, to move 4-up. Newman then birdied the par-5, hole 15 (Kretz made par) to capture the round.

In Other Marquette Golf News
Former Marquette University golfer Mike Johnston (1997-99) became the first MU player to earn a spot in a PGA Tour event when he qualified for the U.S. Bank Championship which began Thursday at Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee.

Johnston, who only recently began playing competitive golf again, carded a one-over par 73 in Thursday's first round. He shot a 4-under 68 earlier this week at the U.S. Bank qualifier at Fire Ridge Golf Club to earn a spot in the event.

Read about Johnston's incredible journey here.