Virginia natives qualify for U.S. Amateur Four-Ball at Totteridge
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • October 7, 2024
The state of Virginia was well represented Monday in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying Round at Totteridge Golf Course.
Brandon Ramsuer and Kyle Bailey took medalist honors, firing off an impressive 9-under score over 63.
“The course visually seemed like it fit our game,” said Bailey, a Radford grad currently living in Charlottesville. “We figured that 8-under might be the number, so we felt pretty good at 9-under.”
Mechanicsville, Virginia native Ryan Rettberg and his teammate Nicholas Brediger of Palmyra, Virginia also qualified for the 10th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball next May at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey.
Rettberg and Brediger — like Bailey — are Radford graduates. They teamed up to shoot a 6-under score of 66 and were victorious on the first hole of a four-team playoff.
In true, October golf fashion, players dealt with whipping winds and temperatures that bounced around the high 50’s throughout the day.
“It was a little colder than we’ve been used to down in Virginia,” said Bailey. “But we handled it pretty well.”
The team element has been a welcomed addition to Ramsuer’s schedule. He picked up competitive golf just a few years ago, and Bailey was persuasive enough to convince him to team up for a run at the Four-Ball.
“We’re both mid-am’s,” said Ramsuer. “This competition is open to anyone, and we’re pretty good players, but it’s not like we’re at the range every day, grinding. We have jobs, families.”
The duo — who each played in last year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship — was able to make a final push at the end to secure the top spot, posting birdies on holes 15, 16 and 18. Bailey eagles the Par 4 17th hole, as well.
“We started watching the leaderboard around holes 14 or 15,” said Bailey. “When we made that birdie putt on 18, that walk back up the hill to the clubhouse was pretty sweet feeling.”
Ramsuer and Bailey were able to get a practice round, driving in Sunday from Virginia for the competition. They planned to drive back Monday evening, with a medal and ticket to the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in tow.
“It’ll be a long trip home,” said Bailey. “But it’ll be a good one, for sure.”
Two teams earned alternate spots Monday. Calvin Mentzer and Scott Kegerreis of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as well as Andrew Hodge of Oakmont, Pennsylvania and Evan Ruling of Pittsburgh survived the four-hole playoff to keep hopes alive for a trip to New Jersey in the spring.
For a final leaderboard, click here. (GGID: 24WPGAUS4BALLQ)
For media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 34,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.