Oct. 1, 2004

Fairfield, CT - Sacred Heart University standout freshman Pat Fillian (Belmar, NJ),a three time first team All-State golfer in New Jersy, has had a summer that any amateur golfer would be jealous of. The '04 summer run has provided him the opportunity to play some of the finest venues and stiffest competition in the nation.

Fillian's miraculous run began with an event, which holds the distinction of being the nation's oldest junior championship, The Metropolitan Golf Association/MetLife Junior Championship. Fillian, arguably one of the state top amateurs in New Jersey qualified for the MGA/Met Life Junior Championship by firing a 68 at Knob Hill. The freshman who will be looked upon heavily to lead the Pioneers this year took the momentum from Knob Hill and turned in a memorable performance, with a 5&3 victory at the Rockaway River Country Club in Denville, NJ to capture the coveted crown.

Next stop was Cream Ridge Golf Club. In a casual summer league round match-up with his father and Tom Campbell, who is a SHU freshman golfer as well, Fillian fired a course record 63. This on a day where the Jersey Shore weather called for being along the beach instead, not on the links grinding out 18 holes.

Fillian's round featured eight birdies and ten pars, which broke a record that had lasted for 40 years, to become the lowest score ever recorded at Cream Ridge.

"The 63 was something else, I was playing alongside Tom Campbell and my father all I can remember saying is what a great day to be at the beach." Fillian joked. "I was in a different world, I did not have any sense that I was closing in on the course record and to take that momentum and roll it into a memorable summer, well, let's just say, that I had a feeling it was going to be a special summer."

Critics could have expected a vapid effort out of the eighteen year old after this first accomplishment, but not Michael Giaquinto, Director of Pioneer Golf. "The kid is special, he could have been complacent, but he dug deep and continued to fine-tune his game. He is a leader and will be called on to play a big role as we position ourselves with the competitive programs in the Northeast Conference."

Next stop, the spectacular Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, where forty of the top Met Area juniors competed, by invite only, in the second annual MGA "Carter Cup" Junior Stroke Play Invitational Championship. The Lower Course, site of five U.S. Opens, is where Fillian rallied with a birdie on the last hole to win.

"This is a very special tournament; it is in honor of Michael J. Carter, who was an unbelievable junior golfer who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2002." Fillian stated, "I'm honored that I was invited and humbled that I was able to hold off the fierce competition to capture the championship."

At a time when most students are prepping with reading lists, back-to-school shopping, saying goodbye to family and friends, Fillian was at Royce Brook in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where he was one of three players out of a field of 80 to book a spot in the highlight of his summer or in his young, illustrious career. A spot in the U.S. Amateur Championship, the largest amateur golf tournament in the world. Past champions have been Woods, Mickelson, and Nicklaus.

His first round of a 10-over 80 on the first day of the tournament and a 75 on day two left him a few strokes short of making the final cut for match play. The experience, which featured a practice round with one of the NCAA's best, Chris Nallen of the University of Arizona, has provided Fillian a life lesson that will not soon be forgotten.

"We were all waiting anxiously at the University to see how Patrick did and after finding out that he missed the cut after day two we called to congratulate him on the experience and to thank him for representing the University in such a positive way." Jamie P. Romeo said, Director of Pioneer Golf Operations, who worked with Fillian throughout the recruitment process. "Patrick says, `great experience, and I will be ready to go next year and as Coach Giaquinto has said, this is a special young man who is wise beyond his years, a true asset to the program and the University."

Fillian, who was one of the youngest golfers in "The Amateur", said. "Winged Foot is so storied in tradition, it is a true classic venue to host a tournament such as the US Amateur....I will be back and will take this experience and use it my advantage for the next time, I can't wait to get started at Sacred Heart University and hit the books and help the program along and put us on the map for Divison 1 golf in the Northeast."