SEASIDE, Calif. – Santa Clara men's golfer Derek Ackerman earned a spot at the U.S. Amateur Championship next month.
Ackerman came in second out of 140 golfers at the Northern California Golf Association's qualifier at the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course on Wednesday.
He fired a 5-under-par 137 (67-70), trailing only Josh McCollum who was one shot better in the 36-hole event.
"I went into the day feeling really confident," said Ackerman. "I've played there since junior golf in high school. I've played there twenty-something times."
Ackerman, one of three to advance from the qualifer, sunk 11 birdies, including four in the final round.