John Catlin

The Memorial Amateur, which was founded in 1998 by tournament director John Rochelle, will again consist of a top-flight field filled to the brim with some of the top young amateurs in California, Texas and beyond May 25-27 at Ancil Hoffman Golf Course in Carmichael, Calif..

Two-time defending champion John Catlin of Gold River, Calif. will be back to try and make it three straight. Winner of last year's Monterey City and the 2010 NCGA Match Play at Spyglass Hill, Catlin is currently a member of the golf team at New Mexico and a big reason why the Lobos won the Central Regional last week. Catlin and Co. will also be in contention when the NCAA Championship kicks off Tuesday.

Tyler Raber, the reigning Trans-Mississippi Championship winner --- and a winner on the amateurgolf.com Tour --- is also in the field. The UC Davis golfer remains one of the top amateurs in California.

Red-hot junior Cameron Champ of Sacramento, is the No. 7 junior in the country according to Golfweek. He recently won the Roseville (CA) City title.

Shotaro Ban, a redshirt freshman at Cal and the top-ranked player in the amateurgolf.com California State Rankings, enters the Memorial fresh off a third-place finish at the Alameda Commuters.

Founded by Vietnam Veteran John Rochelle, it's no coincidence that this first class, traditional event takes place on Memorial Day weekend.The 54-hole stroke play event features a 36-hole cut. Played at Ancil Hoffman in Carmichael, one of the great daily fee golf courses in America, the Memorial Amateur is one of the most important amateur events in Northern California.

Former participants include PGA Tour players Derek Ernst, Matt Bettencourt, Spencer Levin and Cameron Trinagle.

Amateurgolf.com will have coverage and results from the event starting with first-round play on Saturday.