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By Keith Michlig

 

Georgia Southwestern State University golf alumnus and 2024 PING All-Region selection Payne Sells will be competing in the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship at the 7,599-yard, par-72 Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., after tying for seventh place at his final United States Golf Association qualifying event at Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club on July 17 with a 3-under par 68. This year’s U.S. Amateur Championship, which runs from August 12-18, will mark the 124th playing of the event.

The USGA announced significant modifications to its amateur championship qualifying model for the first time in more than 20 years for this year’s event. The most significant revisions were to the U.S. Amateur, which moved from a one-stage, 36-hole qualifying format to a two-stage qualifying format with 45 18-hole local qualifying sites and 19 18-hole final qualifying sites.

Sells knew he needed to birdie the 17th and 18th holes on Wednesday to finish inside the cut line to advance and he delivered. Sells strong finish included birdies on three of the last four holes.

A native of Perry, GA, Sells had a pair of Top five finishes this past season to close out his collegiate career, including a tournament victory at the 84-player Argonaut Invitational in April. That performance earned him Peach Belt Conference Golfer of the Week honors for the first time in his career. Sells was a second team All-Peach Belt Conference selection in 2024. He posted a 72.64 scoring average through 33 rounds to complete his final collegiate season ranked No. 40 in NCAA Division II.