WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - By virtue of two-under par performance at the U.S. Amateur Championship Sectional Qualifying Round (SQR) on August 8-9, former Monmouth University standout golfer Greg Etimos recently qualified for the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship to be held at Erin Hill Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin, August 22-28.

Etimos, a two-time All-Northeast Conference performer, fired an opening round 69 at the SQR and totaled a 142, advancing in a playoff at Tam O'Shanter Golf Course, in Glen Head, N.Y. to qualify for the Amateur Championships.

"Words really can't explain how happy and excited I am to qualify for the U.S. Amateur," stated Etimos. "The road to this point has been a long one with so many ups and downs. The 36 holes to qualify were no different."

In a competition that dates back to 1895, some past U.S. Amateur champions include five-time champion Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer (1954), Jack Nicklaus (1959, 61), Phil Mickelson (1990), Justin Leonard (1992) and Tiger Woods (1994, 95, 96).

"It is really nice to have all of my hard work finally pay off and give me the opportunity to play in the biggest amateur event in the country," added Etimos. "However, I couldn't have done this without my family, Coach Shea, and my friends behind me. It's truly an honor to play in the same event that many of golf's greatest players such as Woods, Palmer, and Nicklaus have won. Qualifying has really given me a big boost of confidence in my abilities and I am looking forward to playing against the best amateurs in the country. Although it's a difficult road ahead, it's a cool feeling knowing that I am 36 holes and six wins away from playing in the Masters."

"We are certainly proud of all of Greg's accomplishments while he was here at Monmouth, but he is taking his game to the next level," stated Monmouth head golf coach Dennis Shea. "He is in some elite company, playing with the best amateur golfers in the country."

Erin Hills Golf Course, also host of the 2017 U.S. Open, will host the first U.S. Open Championships in the state of Wisconsin, which will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

About the SQR, Etimos added: "I was able to finish my first 18 with an eagle to shoot 69, and then the second round was suspended due to rain, which caused us to have to come back to finish the round today. When play resumed I went from 3-over on my second round back to even with three birdies. Then I doubled 16 to find myself back at 1-under and out of the playoff. I was able to keep my head in it to birdie 17 and make an up and down for par on 18 to make a playoff with four people for two spots. I made the longest 1.5-foot par putt of my life on the first playoff hole to claim a spot in the US Am."