June 23, 2006

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - A pair of St. Bonaventure juniors-to-be, Andy Whalen and Ryan Swanson, both qualified for the New York State Amateur Golf Championship through regional qualifiers this week.

Whalen and Swanson were each the low finisher in their respective 18-hole qualifying rounds. Whalen's five-under par 67 topped the field by seven shots at Vestal Hills Country Club in Vestal on Monday, June 19. Thursday at Brierwood Country Club outside Buffalo, Swanson shot a one-under par 71. He is one of 17 players who qualified from the Brierwood site.

The New York State Amateur will be held July 18-22 at the Country Club of Troy.

Whalen and Swanson were the number two and number three players, respectively, for St. Bonaventure last season. Whalen averaged 73.5 for the year followed by Swanson at 74.6.