Hillen, Souchek in contention at U.S. Amateur qualifier

Relying on past achievements a pair of Columbia natives put themselves in position for a possible return trip to the United States Amateur Golf Championship during local qualifying on a rainy Monday at Meadowbrook Country Club.

Current Millikin University assistant golf coach Wes Hillen and former Gibault and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale player Steve Souchek both shot rounds of 2-under-par 70 on Monday on a tricky par 72 Meadowbrook CC layout and are within striking distance for one of three spots in the amateur championship with the second and final round of qualifying set for Tuesday.

Hillen, a former Columbia High School standout who qualified for the United States Amateur Championship in 2012, had four birdies and just two bogies while playing in the morning round, which was delayed for two hours by heavy rain and lightning.

“It was just a good, solid round. I kept it steady and gave myself a few chances to make some birdies,’’ Hillen said. “The time I qualified in ‘12, I did it at Gateway National (Golf Links) so it would be nice to have a chance at making it again.’’

Jack Knoes, of Columbia, Mo., playing in the final group of the day shot a 5-under 67 for the low round of the day. Knoessel’s total is three strokes better then Nick Arman, of Ellisville, Mo. Cy Morti, of Owensville, Mo., and Wilson Sundvold, of Columbia, Mo.

Five-players including Hillen and Souchek are at 70 heading into the final round which is set to begin at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The top three finishers will advance to the U.S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 17-23 at Olympia Fields Country Club in suburban Chicago.

Souchek, son of former Valmeyer golf coach Terry Souchek, advanced to the 2013 U.S. Championship.

Three other local players also survived the 18-hole cut of 5-over par 77. Former Triad High School player Blaine Buente shot a 2-over par 74, while younger brother Austin Buente also will be playing Meadowbrook for the second day in a row after shooting a 76 on Monday.

Former Althoff High School all-state player Michael Johnson carded a 75 on Monday. A sophomore at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Johnson played 15 solid holes of golf on Monday before playing his last three holes 4-over-par.

“I actually played well. It just got away from me a little bit those last three holes,’’ Johnson said. “It’s been a good summer. I’ve just played a lot of golf and for the most part I feel like I’ve played pretty well. I’m anxious for the college season to get going here.’’

Among the local players just missing the 18-hole cut were Drew Weisenborn, of Columbia, (79) and Matthew McCarthy, of O’Fallon, and Justin Hemings, of Edwardsville, both of whom shot 80.

This story was originally published July 20, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Hillen, Souchek in contention at U.S. Amateur qualifier."