Chicago Area Golfer to Join Big East Champion
PALOS HEIGHTS, Illinois (April 22, 2008) – Sam Bettinardi of Chicago Christian High School has accepted a scholarship offer to play golf next year at Marquette, which won it first Big East conference title on Tuesday (April 22).
The son of famed Chicago-area putter designer/manufacturer Bob Bettinardi, Sam recently put a smile on the face of his future coach, Tim Grogan, when he won two 36-hole Plantation Junior Golf Tour events – shooting 68-73–141 at Cog Hill on April 5-6 and 72-78–150 at Cantigny Golf on April 19-20.
"Sam had some very good success locally and in state tournaments and has played well in national events, including the Western Junior," Grogan said. "In the last year, he has been getting better and better every month. He is a guy who is going to keep getting better. That’s why we thought he would be a good fit at Marquette."
A former baseball player, Bettinardi began devoting himself exclusively to golf after his freshman year. He won the 2006 Illinois Junior Golf Association Player of the Year award and was runner up in 2007. At age 16, he made the cut at the 2006 Western Junior and he advanced to the semi-finals of the Chick Evans Junior in 2007 (shooting a first-round 65) while logging multiple top-10 finishes in IJGA events. He also competed in American Junior Golf Association events as well as Future Collegiate World Tour events.
"I’m looking forward to going to Marquette, improving as a player, and contributing to the team," Bettinardi said. "I’m thankful for the opportunity."
Lee Miller, a teaching professional at Cog Hill G&CC in Lemont, has been working with Bettinardi since he was 12. He believes Bettinardi has a bright future.
"I’ve seen Sam’s golf swing produce Tour-caliber shots," said Miller, who has worked with touring pros. "He has the potential to play at a very high level. He hits the ball 300 yards and he can score with the best of them. I think he is going to get better and better."
This will be a busy summer for Bettinardi. His schedule includes the Illinois Junior, Illinois Amateur, Western Amateur, and two American Junior Golf Association events. Then it’s off to Milwaukee in August to get ready for the fall college season.
On Tuesday (April 22), Marquette won the Big East conference title by two strokes over defending champion Louisville at the Traditions Golf Club in Hebron, Ky. It was the first time any Marquette athletic team had won a Big East title since the Golden Eagles joined the conference in 2005.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801 (o)
847-867-3032 (m)
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
