Each summer the top up-and-coming golfers in the world convene at the U.S. Amateur Championship. The premier amateur tournament in the world has featured the likes of Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods over the history of the 113-year-old annual event.

In 2008 over 300 players entered the competition but only 64 made the cut and advanced to match play. Among the 64 was Rob Chappell, a senior at UD and captain of the golf team.

After completing a season in which Dayton came in second at the A-10 championship and Chappell himself clinched the top prize in the individual championship, he qualified for the tournament at a match in Cincinnati in early August. However, he did not fully appreciate his accomplishment until later at the Open when, according to Chappell, ?everything just hit me.?

This year?s championship was held at Pinehurst Country Club in North Carolina. Chappell, who had previously caddied at the PGA?s U.S. Open, said the Amateur Championship is just as big of an event.

?There was just as much work and effort put into it, and it was run just as if it were a PGA major,? Chappell said.

After playing great golf through the first two days of the tournament, Chappell ran into a product of one of the best golf programs in the country, three-year championship veteran Matthew Swan. A senior at Alabama, Swan finished last season ranked in the top five.

Chappell led after eight holes, but Swan gained momentum the rest of the way and went on to win the match. The fact that Chappell made it to the match and had some success in match-play solidifies him as one of the top young golfers in the country.

After the exciting events of this past summer, Chappell has turned his attention to the upcoming season at Dayton.

?This is a season that we have very high expectations for,? Chappell said.

Building off the success of last year, both Chappell and first-year coach Chris Hale feel the team has a legitimate chance of knocking off powerhouse Charlotte for the A-10 title. Hale, who replaces former coach Drew Tyrer, said he is already enjoying himself as he prepares his team for the season-opening tournament, which begins Sept. 7th.

?Our goal is definitely to win the A-10 Championship,? Hale said.

According to Chappell, the biggest area where the team needs to improve is consistency. Eliminating mistakes and keeping the ball in play is crucial for the team?s success.

At the season?s close this year, Chappell will have to weigh his options for the future.

?It will depend a lot on how well I do this year and the type of financial backing I can receive,? Chappell said. ?I would definitely like to play pro, improve my game enough to play on the PGA tour.?

Hale feels the most important aspect of Chappell?s game that needs improvement is his wedge game.

With Hale?s guidance and his own determination, do not be surprised in the near future if you see Rob Chappell walking the greens of the U.S. Open Major Championship as a professional.