Two years in a row; Stoddard qualifies for Porter Cup

June 30, 2009

LEWISTON, N.Y. - For the second straight year Chris Stoddard took aim at qualifying for the prestigious Porter Cup and for the second straight year the junior-to-be at St. Bonaventure beat the odds, earning a spot in the tournament's field with a two-under par 68 on Monday afternoon at Niagara Falls Country Club (NFCC).

Stoddard's 68 on the 6,621-yard, par 70 course put him in a four-way tie for second place among the 96 participants. Only eight players from Monday's round advanced to the 51st Porter Cup that will be held on July 21-25 at NFCC.

The nearby Southwestern High School product qualified for last year's Porter Cup with a one-under par 69. Despite being familiar with the course and the tournament, Stoddard admitted qualifying the second time was even tougher.

"I think there was added pressure because I've already done it," said Stoddard. "I always put pressure on myself to play well, but knowing that I qualified last year added to things. Plus, this year's field was really strong so I knew I had to play well."

Stoddard got off to a blazing start, recording four birdies and an eagle through 12 holes to get to six-under par with just six holes to play. Stoddard recorded the shot of the day the 392-yard, par 4 10th hole, as his second shot with a 9-iron found its way into the hole for an eagle two.

"I just hit a little knockdown 9-iron on my second shot," Stoddard said. "I didn't even see it go in, but my group did."

It marks the third consecutive season a St. Bonaventure student-athlete has qualified for the Porter Cup. Stoddard has accounted for the last two years (2008, 09), while 2008 graduate Ryan Swanson made the cut in 2007.

One of the premiere amateur events in the country, the Porter Cup's previous champions include: David Duval (1992), Phil Mickelson (1990), Scott Verplank (1983 & 85) and Ben Crenshaw (1972).