Sports
Grosse Pointe Shores Man Competes in U.S. Amateur Golf Championship
Erik Schleicher played in his first U.S. Amateur game Monday and then again Tuesday.
When Erik Schleicher saw the pairings for the first round of the U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, WI, he knew Monday morning had a chance to be a great day.
The Grosse Pointe Shores native’s first USGA event would be played alongside the tournament's defending champion, Peter Uihlein.
For 15 holes Schleicher stayed right with the talented Floridian, carrying an even-par score. But a pair of 6s on Nos. 7 and 8 dropped Schleicher back to 2-over 74 after his first round.
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“I was plugging along pretty good out there and got it going a little on my backside (the course’s front side),” Schleicher said. “Unfortunately, I screwed up (Nos.) 7 and 8.”
Schleicher started out solid, making pars on his first five holes before turning in a 1-over par 37. Things started really looking up after a birdie on the par-5 first hole and another on the long par-4 fifth.
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“We got a good draw in the morning when the wind was light,” Schleicher said. “We had chance to go out there and (post a score).”
After the disaster on Nos. 7 and 8, Schleicher righted the ship with a birdie on the short par-3 ninth hole. His final deuce matched the scores of his more distinguished playing partner, and more importantly, helped Schleicher’s chances of making the match play competition on Wednesday.
“It (definitely) helped to close with that,” Schleicher said.
With his closing birdie, Uihlein ended up with a 4-under 68, good enough for the third-best score of the morning wave. The defending champion credited his favorable pairing as a factor in his great round.
“Anytime you get your group going well it’s exciting,” said Uihlein of the grouping of himself, Schleicher and Jacob Burger (who shot 71). “We really fed off each other and were able to take advantage of the good conditions.”
Schleicher, Uihlein and Burger began to tee it up in the afternoon on Tuesday at Blue Mound Country Club looking to make the field of 64 for the head-to-head match play competition. Weather delayed all of the play Tuesday and weather permitting today, competitors will be able to finish out the course.
