On July 11, 2024, Finn Burkholder punched-his-ticket for the 123rd US Amateur @ Cherry Hills CC. Tamara & I launched this LFEBridge campaign for Ben Willman. Ben is Finn's lead coach at AXIS Golf Academy and will work double-duty as coach & caddie during the US Amateur. Funds raised will compensate Ben for wages lost (since he cannot work or teach while in Colorado with Finn), lodging, meals & travel. Additional funds raised over our goal will pay-down Finn's expenses for this or future events. Not only an excellent coach, Ben is also a former tour professional and will be at Finn's side during the US Amateur. This will help Finn play-his-best, and achieve the goal of advancing to match play. ---------- HOW FINN QUALIFIED FOR THE 123rd US AMATEUR The US Amateur is the USGA's most prestigious amateur event showcasing golf's future stars. Past champions include Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods & Phil Mickelson. Once considered one of golf's major championships, the US Amateur today traditionally serves as a catalyst for top amateurs as they launch their professional careers. While some high-ranking amateurs earn exemptions, most players at the US Amateur qualify through sectional qualifying - similar to the US Open. Finn's sectional qualifier was at Texas A&M Traditions Course featuring some of Texas's best amateur & collegiate players. After walking 36-holes in 100*++ heat, Finn played solid, shooting -1 for the day. Once all scores were posted that evening, Finn found himself in a 5-for-3 playoff with four collegiate players, including the current Texas Amateur champion. After several sudden-death holes that included a restart due to darkness, Finn secured the 3rd and final spot to advance to the 123rd US Amateur at Cherry Hills CC. At age 16, Finn will be one of the youngest players in-the-field competing against the world's top amateurs. His goal: to survive the 2-day / 36-hole stroke play by staying present & focusing shot-for-shot. Then battle in head-to-head match play thereafter. ---------- ABOUT BEN WILLMAN AXIS Golf Academy has served as Finn's teaching academy since he was a young junior. Ben Willman is a co-owner at AXIS, a Class-A PGA member, and Finn's lead coach. Born and raised in England, Ben turned professional at 21, was a member of the British PGA, and attained his European Tour Card in 2006. Ben played at the highest level on several different tours, including the PGA Tour & European Tour. Today at AXIS, Ben still plays at a high-level, earning 'Player of the Year' honors in the South Texas PGA Section (2014, 2016, 2019). Ben also qualified for the PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open (2015, 2017, 2024) & Mexico Open (2024). ---------- FINN BURKHOLDER - BIO / CAREER HIGHLIGHTS On June 2024, Finn finished T32 in the 114th Texas Amateur at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. Finn made the 36-hole cut, and was the youngest player in the field. To qualify, Finn finished T6 in a local qualifier to secure a spot in the field. On April 2024, Finn finished T2 at a PGA Mexico Open Prequalifier to advance to the Mexico Open Monday Qualifier where Finn finished T25 in a field of predominantly professionals from PGA Canada, PGA Latin America & Korn Ferry Tour. ('Monday Q Info' - a popular media source for professional golf - posted this humorous ‘tweet' about Finn during the Monday Qualifier.) On July 2024, Finn won the AJGA Stan Utley Mid-America Youth Golf Foundation at Mizzou's home course by carding 9 birdies & 2 eagles for the week. Six strokes off-the-lead, Finn shot 67 while in the final group of the final round to force extra holes - winning in a sudden-death playoff after 3-holes. The victory was also special since Finn has worked several years w/ Stan Utley on his short game. Today Stan is part of Finn's team while serving as an important mentor. To date, Finn has 4 appearances on national television: PGA Jr League (3x) and Drive Chip & Putt National Finals. Finn is a 3x participant in the PGA Junior League National Championships for Team Texas / Team AXIS finishing 4th in 2017, 3rd in 2018, and 2nd in 2019. On April 4, 2024, Finn finished 6th at Drive Chip Putt National Finals at Augusta National. Made the 30’ putt on the 18th green. The AP photo of Finn draining the putt was used by every major newspaper publication. On March 20, 2024, Finn was named KHOU Athlete of the Week. Growing up Finn was a 2-sport athlete before he ‘retired' from competitive soccer in June 2024. Finn was a Goalkeeper for Houston Dynamo in the US Soccer Federation Development Academy, MLS Next & the Elite Clubs National League. Finn is currently ranked 18th in the class of 2026 by Junior Golf Scoreboard, and has earned equipment sponsorships with PING, Titleist & adidas.
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