Summer Notebook: Love and Katz Win; Riley Honored; Chinn Ranked High

DURHAM – Duke men's golfer continue to thrive in the summer months, headlined by a recent win in the Georgia Amateur for incoming freshman William Love, a victory in the Maryland Open for former Blue Devil Evan Katz, another honor for recently graduated Quinn Riley and rising sophomore Kelly Chinn's continued strong play.

Riley Named BCGCA All-American
Quinn Riley was one of 10 golfers nationwide named an All-American for 2021-22 season by the Black College Golf Coaches Association. The Black College Golf Coaches Association and Golf Coaches Association of America have partnered to present the inaugural BCGCA Awards to honor black college golfers from all backgrounds and across all divisions of college golf.

Riley, a Raleigh native, capped his Duke career with a career-best 72.38 scoring average this season in helping lead the Blue Devils to the NCAA Columbus Regional. The senior was the individual medalist at the Stitch Intercollegiate in April as Duke claimed the team title. He also led the team with a top-20 finish at the ACC Championship in May.

Finishing the year as the No. 1-ranked golfer in the collegiate rankings for the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour, Riley received a sponsor's exemption into the REX Hospital Open in June on the Korn Ferry Tour. He turned pro following the season and played on a sponsor's exemption in the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in July.

Love Wins Georgia Amateur
Incoming freshman William Love won the 101st Georgia Amateur Championship by two strokes at The Landings Club-Deer Creek in early July. Love carded an 8-under-par 280 (69-67-68-76) for the 72-hole event to claim the Robert H. Martin Trophy.

An Atlanta native and recent graduate of the Westminster School, Love saw his lead grow to six strokes with nine holes to play but held off a late charge from Billy Abdow for his two-stroke victory.

Love was exempt into the 2022 Georgia Amateur by finishing tied for 10th at last year's state championship. The top 20 finishers of this year's event are exempt into the 2023 edition. The 102nd Georgia Amateur Championship will take place at Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek.

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William Love is your 101st Georgia Amateur Champion!

Join us in congratulating William on a tremendous victory at @landingsclub (Deer Creek) and adding his name to the Robert H. Martin Trophy!#GeorgiaAmateur pic.twitter.com/U58oN2iriu
— Georgia State Golf Association (@GSGA) July 10, 2022

Chinn Remains High in Elite Amateur Golf Series Rankings
The latest release of the Elite Amateur Golf Series Rankings has rising sophomore Kelly Chinn ranked No. 9 with 34.1243 points. The race for the Elite Amateur Cup is determined by earning points for competing in the seven historic Elite Amateur Golf Series (EAGS) championships -- Sunnehanna Amateur, Northeast Amateur, North & South Amateur, Trans-Miss Amateur, Southern Amateur, Pacific Coast Amateur and the Western Amateur.

Chinn was the runner-up at the Sunnehanna to earn 16.8933 points, finished tied for eighth at the Northeast Am (11.4682 points) and earned 5.7628 for competing in the North & South Am. He is scheduled to compete in the Western Amateur Aug. 2-6 in Highland Park, Ill.

Top finishers in the series earn exemptions into USGA Championships, PGA TOUR, and Korn Ferry Tour events.

Katz Wins Maryland State Open
Former Blue Devil Evan Katz won the 101st Maryland State Open, finishing four strokes clear of the field with a dazzling 9-under-par 201 (68-68-65) for the week.

Katz entered the final round at Manor CC in a tie with Zachary Lese at 4-under-par, but the Blue Devil slammed the door on the field by shooting a final-round 5-under 65 (31-34). He eagled the par-5 fourth to jump start his final round and birdied four of his final 14 holes, including a birdie on the last, to win going away.

Evan Katz bringing home some hardware ??

Congrats to the 2022 Maryland State Open Champion ?? pic.twitter.com/p5ujUhLMk3
— Duke Men's Golf (@DukeMGOLF) July 16, 2022