CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE (Colo.) — Neal Shipley has a great summer.
He finished runner-up at the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, the Sunnehanna Amateur, and the Dogwood Invitational. He was also third at the Pacific Coast Amateur. The graduate student from Ohio State has now reached the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Shipley defeated Andi Xu in the quarterfinals on Friday by a score of 2 to 1. Shipley’s luscious hair is a talking point among fans, and he stands out on the course. But his game speaks volumes.
Shipley stated, “You have to beat so many great players and I’ve played a lot really tough matches.” This one was special, because I had to fight back after starting out slow. “I got up, then he caught me, then I just won the two at the end.”
U.S. Cherry Hills: Amateur photos
Jimmy Beck, assistant coach of the Buckeyes, has looped this week for Shipley. They’ve made a formidable pair. Shipley will need to find a caddie this weekend.
Shipley said, “Jimmy’s awesome.” He has to attend his baby shower on tomorrow.
What’s your backup plan?
“One of my good friends, who caddied at the Oakmont Amateur (2021) for Austin Greaser, is at Beaver Creek and I will make him drive to that.”
Carter Pitcaird is a rising sophomore in Wisconsin. Pitcaird is no stranger to the U.S. Amateur as a caddie.
He helped Greaser in 2021, who is now a graduate student at North Carolina. Oakmont Country Club is Shipley and Pitcaird’s home course. Greaser has reached the Round 32 this week.
Shipley stated, “I trust him a great deal.” “I’m the one swinging the golf club at the end of it all, so I don’t think that’s a big deal.”
Beaver Creek, located in the Rocky Mountains, is two hours to the west of Cherry Hills. Pitcaird, instead of relaxing at the mountain resort will try to help Shipley get a place in the championship match.
Shipley will face senior John Marshall Butler from Auburn at 2:15 pm. ET semifinals.
