Far Hills, N.J. – Murphy Creek Golf Course, in Aurora, Colo., has been selected by the United States Golf Association as the site of the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. The dates of the championship are July 14-19.

Designed by Ken Kavanaugh and opened in 2000, Murphy Creek is a lengthy, prairie links layout with wide corridors, generous fairways, intriguing bunkers and memorable water features. The course reflects the rural tone of 1920s architecture, with an old barn and farm implements located throughout the course. The course will be hosting its first USGA championship. It has however, hosted, U.S. Amateur qualifying events in 2001,2002, 2004 and will again in 2006.

"Since opening, Murphy Creek has received significant local and national recognition," said Dennis Lyon, Aurora manager of golf. "Murphy Creek is a fabulous course, with a tremendous staff. We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Aurora."

Murphy Creek has also hosted numerous local events, including several Colorado Golf Association Championships, Colorado PGA Section Championships, the Aurora Junior Championship and Future Collegiate World Tour events. In 2006, Murphy Creek will host the Colorado Cup Matches and the 2006 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Golf Championship. The NAIG, also known as the "Olympics for Native Americans" will offer competition in 16 sports. The golf championship format will be 54 holes stroke play and will be conducted July 5- 7, 2006.

The Amateur Public Links has previously been played three times in Colorado, in 1946 and 1959 at Wellshire G.C. in Aurora and in 1993 at Riverdale Dunes Knolls Public Links in Brighton.

Prior to 2008, the U.S. Amateur Public Links will be played at Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton, Wash., from July 10-15, 2006; and at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill., from July 9-14, 2007.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links, open to amateur golfers who are bona fide public course players and hold a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 8.4, is one of 13 national championships conducted by the USGA, 10 of which are solely for amateurs.

Contact:
Pete Kowalski

USGA media relations

pkowalski@usga.org

908-234-2300 x1322