The University of Mississippi Athletics
Men’s Golf Duo, La Sasso and Meeks, to Compete in U.S. Amateur
8/13/2023 | Men's Golf
Rebels Represented at U.S. Amateur for 12th Consecutive Year
CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. – For what has become a common theme, Ole Miss men's golf will have a presence at the U.S. Amateur for yet another year. Michael La Sasso and Kye Meeks will tee off alongside some of the best amateur golfers in the world at the prestigious Cherry Hills Country Club (Aug. 14-20).
With La Sasso and Meeks in the 2023 field, 12 different Rebels have qualified for the U.S. Amateur over the past 12 years. At least one Ole Miss golfer has competed in the historic tournament since 2012. La Sasso and Meeks have now cemented their names with legendary former Ole Miss golfers such as Jackson Suber and Braden Thornberry.
QUICK FACTS
The 123rd edition of the event will be contested over two courses. Cherry Hills is a par 71 that will play 7,405 yards, while the par 72 Colorado Golf Club measures 7,560 yards. After 36 holes of stroke play (Aug. 14-15), the field of 312 will be narrowed down to 64 for match play.
Beginning on Wednesday (Aug. 16) at 4:00 p.m. CT, the match play portion will be broadcasted on the Peacock and Golf Channel and followed throughout the remaining bracket.
THE ROAD TO THE AM
Meeks, entering his junior year for Ole Miss, is no stranger when it comes to high stakes. The Walnut, Mississippi, native will make his third consecutive U.S. Amateur appearance after he recorded an impressive 132 (12-under) score at his USGA Championship Qualifying event hosted at the Mossy Oak Golf Club and was one of seven to make the cut out of the 62-player field in West Point.
"I'm really excited to play against the best amateurs in the world on a very historic venue," said Meeks. "My goal going into the week is to win."
La Sasso, a recent transfer from NC State, is making his inaugural appearance at the 123rd U.S. Amateur after his 139 (5-under) 36-hole score at the USGA Championship Qualifying event conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association and making the cut out of his 103-player field. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native is coming off a successful freshman year as he recorded a 72.19 stroke average from his nine tournament appearances. La Sasso earned two top-20 finishes, including one in the top-five.
"I'm excited to play the U.S. Am," said La Sasso. "It's a good test of golf. Just focus one shot at a time and see what happens. I'm looking forward to having Coach [Emerson] Newsome on the bay. It should be a lot of fun!"
Meeks will begin the tournament on Cherry Hills, teeing off at 8:01 a.m. CT Monday. Meanwhile, La Sasso will start at 12:03 p.m. CT on Colorado Golf Club. The two Rebels will switch courses for the second round (La Sasso – 6:33 a.m. CT, Meeks – 1:31 p.m. CT) Tuesday.
For updates throughout the season, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMGolf. Additional updates and information on the team can be found on Instagram at OleMissMGolf, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Golf and on OleMissSports.com.
Ole Miss Golfers in U.S. Amateur (Last 12 Years)
2023 – Kye Meeks, Michael La Sasso
2022 – Kye Meeks
2021 – Kye Meeks
2020 – Jackson Suber, Cecil Wegener
2019 – Jack Gnam
2018 – Beau Briggs, Braden Thornberry
2017 – Braden Thornberry
2016 – Braden Thornberry
2015 – Braden Thornberry, Ben Wolcott
2014 – Joe Lewis, Ben Wolcott
2013 – Blake Morris
2012 – Blake Morris
With La Sasso and Meeks in the 2023 field, 12 different Rebels have qualified for the U.S. Amateur over the past 12 years. At least one Ole Miss golfer has competed in the historic tournament since 2012. La Sasso and Meeks have now cemented their names with legendary former Ole Miss golfers such as Jackson Suber and Braden Thornberry.
QUICK FACTS
The 123rd edition of the event will be contested over two courses. Cherry Hills is a par 71 that will play 7,405 yards, while the par 72 Colorado Golf Club measures 7,560 yards. After 36 holes of stroke play (Aug. 14-15), the field of 312 will be narrowed down to 64 for match play.
Beginning on Wednesday (Aug. 16) at 4:00 p.m. CT, the match play portion will be broadcasted on the Peacock and Golf Channel and followed throughout the remaining bracket.
THE ROAD TO THE AM
Meeks, entering his junior year for Ole Miss, is no stranger when it comes to high stakes. The Walnut, Mississippi, native will make his third consecutive U.S. Amateur appearance after he recorded an impressive 132 (12-under) score at his USGA Championship Qualifying event hosted at the Mossy Oak Golf Club and was one of seven to make the cut out of the 62-player field in West Point.
"I'm really excited to play against the best amateurs in the world on a very historic venue," said Meeks. "My goal going into the week is to win."
La Sasso, a recent transfer from NC State, is making his inaugural appearance at the 123rd U.S. Amateur after his 139 (5-under) 36-hole score at the USGA Championship Qualifying event conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association and making the cut out of his 103-player field. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native is coming off a successful freshman year as he recorded a 72.19 stroke average from his nine tournament appearances. La Sasso earned two top-20 finishes, including one in the top-five.
"I'm excited to play the U.S. Am," said La Sasso. "It's a good test of golf. Just focus one shot at a time and see what happens. I'm looking forward to having Coach [Emerson] Newsome on the bay. It should be a lot of fun!"
Meeks will begin the tournament on Cherry Hills, teeing off at 8:01 a.m. CT Monday. Meanwhile, La Sasso will start at 12:03 p.m. CT on Colorado Golf Club. The two Rebels will switch courses for the second round (La Sasso – 6:33 a.m. CT, Meeks – 1:31 p.m. CT) Tuesday.
For updates throughout the season, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMGolf. Additional updates and information on the team can be found on Instagram at OleMissMGolf, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Golf and on OleMissSports.com.
Ole Miss Golfers in U.S. Amateur (Last 12 Years)
2023 – Kye Meeks, Michael La Sasso
2022 – Kye Meeks
2021 – Kye Meeks
2020 – Jackson Suber, Cecil Wegener
2019 – Jack Gnam
2018 – Beau Briggs, Braden Thornberry
2017 – Braden Thornberry
2016 – Braden Thornberry
2015 – Braden Thornberry, Ben Wolcott
2014 – Joe Lewis, Ben Wolcott
2013 – Blake Morris
2012 – Blake Morris
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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