Andy Ogletree (21), a Little Rock grocer’s boy, won the United States Amateur Championship Sunday. Ogletree (a rising senior at Georgia Tech) defeated John Augenstein, Owensboro, Kentucky 2 to 1. The 36-hole final was held at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Ogletree’s victory was a lesson in perseverance. Ogletree lost four of the five first holes and was trailing by four in the morning round. It seemed as though Augenstein, who plays at Vanderbilt was going to win the championship. But Ogletree didn’t flinch. Ogletree, who was bespectacled, said that he showed great resilience and didn’t give up. “I kept telling my self I was going to win the championship and just believed that.” Mississippi has produced many great amateur golfers in those 111 years. Johnny Pott, a great collegiate player at LSU, won five times on the PGA Tour before playing in three Ryder Cups. Mike Taylor, who played before Johnny Miller at BYU once, won the Mississippi State Amateur an unprecedented 10 times. Randy Watkins won a junior national championship and then played on the PGA Tour. Braden Thornberry won for Ole Miss the NCAA championship. There are many more. There were many more. Ogletree beat Trolio on 17th hole in their semifinal match. Ogletree was considered the clear underdog heading into the 36-hole final. Augenstein was ranked No. 38 was ranked in the World Amateur rankings. Ogletree was No. 120. These rankings don’t take into account how much Ogletree has improved over the past two years at Georgia Tech. He said that he gained 33 pounds muscle by working out hard and eating healthier. He also works hard on his short game, chipping and putting. It showed on Sunday when he fought for the lead and took it on the 32nd hole. This is what you should know: Augenstein was in control for 29 holes and Ogletree only for three. Ogletree answered Sunday’s question with the following: “I can play and perform at the highest level.” It seemed like the more nervous you got, the better it felt. It’s not easy to learn quickly, so it was a learning process. Today, Ogletree won a gold medal, custody of the Havemeyer Trophy, and he is credited with the win. Ogletree’s name is on a plaque at USGA Golf Museum, Liberty Corner, New Jersey. He is eligible to play in the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. This will likely include an invitation to The Masters. Ogletree, Augenstein and the 2019 Walker Cup team were also announced on Sunday afternoon. The 47th Walker Cup (amateur equivalent of professional golf’s Ryder Cup) will be played at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England, Sept. 7-8. Ogletree will play with Tiger Woods, the current Masters champion, in the first round of Augusta National next April. If Masters tradition is correct. Many claimed Ogletree’s identity on social media Monday and Sunday: Union High School Yellowjackets, Union Country Club, Meridian, where Ogletree played junior golf, and the community of Little Rock. Ogletree was asked during the post-tournament conference what his neighbors and friends would think. He replied: “There’s no telling.” I’m sure there are some adult beverages being consumed.”_x000D