PINEHURST, N.C. - At the 2008 U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, Dayton Flyer senior Rob Chappell fell 4-2 to three-time U.S. Amateur participant Matthew Swan during the opening round of match play.

Playing once again on Pinehurst No. 2, Chappell had an early two-stroke lead after eight holes of play thanks to birdies on holes four and eight. However, a bogey on nine and Swan netting birdie on 10 tied the match.

From there Chappell hit bogey on holes 11, 13 and 16 while Swan stayed even par on the next six holes to capture the win.

Chappell made the cut by one stroke after shooting an even-par 70 on Pinehurst No. 4 in the first round and recording a four-over 74 in the second round.

For Chappell it was a memorable experience that his head coach, Chris Hale, believes he can build upon for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

"After this tournament Rob has proven he's one of the top amateur golfers around," Hale said. "This was not only nationally-strong field, but an internationally-strong field as well. Rob showed his game is up a whole notch from last year's A-10 championship. We hope that he helps the Flyers win some tournaments and help the team build a better record than the team has had in the past."

Both Chappell and sophomore Zach Glassman are believed to be the first UD golfers to qualify for the U.S. Amateur since Jack Zimmerman Sr., who played in three during his post-Flyer days, the last at Pinehurst in 1962.

Glassman shot rounds of 78 and 70 in his U.S. Amateur debut.

"For both of them this experience was something that they will build upon not just for this season, but in their careers," said Hale. "This tournament showed Rob has the possibility of playing professional golf later in his career and Zach has the chance to step up as an elite player as well."

Earlier this year Chappell won the 2008 Atlantic 10 Individual Championship and was named a First Team, All-Atlantic 10 selection.

Dayton begins the 2008-09 season at the John Piper Invitational on Monday, Sept. 8 from Bowling Green, Ohio.