July 17, 2008

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. - It wasn't the start to the 86th New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) Men's Amateur Championship that St. Bonaventure sophomore-to-be Chris Stoddard had dreamt up, but its turning out to be the finish.

With momentum on his side after a four-birdie 69 in Wednesday's final qualifying round, Stoddard picked up right where he left off on Thursday, claiming a pair of match play victories against No. 9 seed J.P. Kircher and No. 25 seed Bradley Roche, respectively, to advance to Friday's quarterfinal round at Pine Haven Country Club.

Stoddard will take on No. 17 seed Jeff Woiniewicz, who earlier today defeated the top-seeded player in the tournament. The match will start at 7:30 a.m. and the winner will advance to the semifinals later on in that afternoon.

Stoddard's up-hill climb began on Tuesday as he carded an 80 in the first round of qualifying leaving him well back of the early projected cut. The Southwestern High School graduate bounced back in a big way, though, cutting through the 143-player field with his two-under par 69 to move into a seven-way tie for 23rd position. His two-day total of 149 (+7) was good enough to put him in the field's top 32 and into the match-play competition.

Stoddard, representing Moon Brooke Country Club in his hometown of Jamestown, N.Y., entered Thursday morning's first round of match play as the No. 24 seed. Taking on Kircher, who posted rounds of 72 and 73 in qualifying, Stoddard defeated the tournament's ninth seed, 3 & 2.

With little time to rest, Stoddard took the course again, this time against Roche, who was also fresh-off, an upset win in the first round. Stoddard wasted little time taking control of the match, getting up five through 10 holes to eventually win, 3 & 2.

Just over two weeks ago, Stoddard qualified for the prestigious Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club (NFCC). Stoddard will compete in the annual event from July 22-26 back at NFCC.