Hokie ClubWhile most of the U.S.'s golf attentionhas been on the U.S. Open at the Bethpage State Park, another majorevent is being played overseas. The 2009 British Amateur Championshipis being held at Formby and West Lancaster in Lancashire, England.Former Hokie golfer Jurrian van der Vaart has advanced to thequarterfinals of the tournament.
Play began on Monday with 288 playerscompeting in stroke play. Van der Vaart shot rounds of 75 and 69 tofinish 32nd and advance into Wednesday's match play. Thetop 64 players from stroke play advanced to match play.
In the first round of match play, vander Vaart defeated Adam Runcie of Great Britain, 2 & 1 and thendefeated Ignacio Elvira of Spain. In the fourth round on Thursday,van der Vaart defeated Stefan Wiedergruen of Germany, 2 & 1. OnFriday, he will play Sam Hutsby of Great Britain, beginning at 8:45a.m., local time. Should he win, the semifinals will be played onFriday afternoon.
In 2007, van der Vaart's Tech teammate,Drew Weaver, won the event at Royal Lytham & St. Annes inLancashire, England. He is competing in the U.S. Open this week,standing two-over-par after 10 holes when inclement weather haltedplay.