TULSA, Okla. – Eastern Illinois golfer Gino Parrodi missed the cut at the 109th United States Amateur Golf Championships played this week at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.  Parrodi fired a two round total of 156 to just miss the final cut for one of the world's most prestigious amateur events.

Parrodi carded a six-over-par 76 during the first round but faltered a little in the second round with an 80. Only the top 64 players advance to match play with the cut for this year's final rounds of the tournament at plus eight.

Parrodi, a sophomore originally from Queretaro, Mexico who attended The Woodlands High School in Houston, Texas, is a freshman at Eastern Illinois.  This past spring season he earned All-Ohio Valley Conference newcomer honors and was the Panthers' top finisher at the league championships.

Eastern Illinois men's golf narrowly missed having two Panthers represent the school at the week long event as incoming freshman Travis Smyczynski was the first alternate for the field. Unfortunately there were no withdrawals from this year's tournament to allow Smyczynski to earn a spot in the championship.

The Panthers open the 2009 fall golf season on Sept. 13, competing at the three-day Morehead State Tournament.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID