US Open Local Qualifying #2 - TPC Twin Cities

On paper, TPC Twin Cities appeared to be the more difficult of the two US Open Local Qualifying courses (The Links at Northfork being the other). After all, it hosts annually the 3M Championship, a Champions Tour stop, and has hosted the 2006 MGA Players' Championship as well as previous US Open Local Qualifying events. But, even with a challenging set-up - the course measuring over 7,000 yards and some "Sunday" hole locations - many players had their way during Monday's second US Open Local Qualifying.

Perfect weather (in the morning) offered great scoring opportunities as 20 players recorded sub-par rounds. Although, in the end, even 69 wasn't good enough. Five players, lead by co-medalists Andrew Rauscher of Rancho Mirage, CA, and Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, MN, earned the right to advance to the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying. Rauscher and Jurecic both returned five-under par 67s. Interestingly, Rauscher had never seen the course before recording nine (yes, 9!) birdies.

Also earning the right to advance with scores of 68 were Chris Borgen (Eagan, MN), former Gopher Josh Persons (Fargo, ND) and current Gopher Victor Almstrom. Ryan Conn was declared the first alternate after his 69 tied him with another former Gopher Bronson La'Cassie, but La'Cassie was not present at the end for the playoff.

In the group of five players at 70 was former Gopher and new professional Clayton Rask. The 2007 MGA Men's Player of the Year turned professional at the qualifying after failing to make it to the NCAA Division I Championship. His 70 included nine birdies and a triple bogey.

To view all of the scores from the TPC qualifying, click here.

Coming up, the MGA-PGA Cup Matches on Tuesday (May 27) at Somerby GC in Byron.

Until the next time-

Doug

Let the Tournament Season Begin!

After all my talk about the season beginning, it finally did so yesterday with 35 players attempting for 3 spots in the first of two US Open Local Qualifiers held at the Links of Northfork. Co-medalists were Don Berry and Jordan Ensrud with 73 while Kane Hanson claimed the final spot in a 2-hole playoff over Eric Toftner.

Berry, the 14-time reigning Minnesota PGA Player of the Year from Edinburgh USA, played very steady in difficult, cold, blustery conditions that made the course extremely challenging.

Ensrud literally saved his day and chances by making a 15' par putt on the 18th hole to secure his spot after chipping long. Ensrud plays for Michigan State.

Hanson, the 2003 MGA Amateur Champion and minitour player, hit the flagstick on the 2nd playoff hole with his 6-iron, second shot leaving him a short birdie putt. He converted to earn the last spot over Toftner after both players had parred the first playoff hole. Toftner becomes the first alternate. Both players had recorded two-over par, 74s. Jeff Sorenson won a playoff over Derek Deminsky for the second alternate position after the players tied at 75.

All three will advance to the Regional Qualifying on June 2 at the Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.

Today and tomorrow (Tuesday & Wednesday), I am down at Centennial Oaks Golf Club in Waverly, Iowa, (home of Wartburg College) officiating for the NCAA D-III Women's Golf Championship. Two MGA Tournament Volunteers, Bill Casey and Bruce Bromen (pictured above), also came down to help along with others, including Bill Dickens and his staff from the Iowa Golf Association.

Twenty schools and eleven individuals have qualified to participate in this prestigious event. While many may not be as talented in golf as their Division I counterparts, these players have shown tremendous spirit, poise, sportsmanship and grace struggling through tough weather today. Some (many?) Division I players - both men and women - could learn from them. These ladies play the game for all of the right reasons. And, they all have earned the right to say they have played in a national championship tournament! They are all winners!

In the team competition, Methodist College (Fayetteville, NC) is going for its 11th consecutive title!

Up next? Another US Open Local Qualifying (Monday) at TPC Twin Cities.

Until next time-

Doug

Final Preparations Underway

With the first of two US Open Qualifying events only 9 days away, I am in the "final preparation" mode. I have completed my initial "site visits," completed the starting times, Pace of Play, Notice to Competitors and volunteer work assignments. The only things left to do are to print the scorecards, finalize the Local Rules and set up the golf course.

This year, 8,390 players entered the US Open nationally. Of those, 58 are exempt into the Championship while the other 8,332 must qualify. There are over 100 "Local" qualifying sites, including the two sites in Minnesota: The Links at Northfork and TPC Twin Cities. Both sites should prove to be challenging and the better players should advance to the Sectional qualifying round.

Northfork will be playing at 6,988 yards, par 72. Thirty-seven players are vying for 3 spots. The key to the day will be the weather, and more specifically, the wind. If the wind is blowing, especially from the west or northwest, the course will play very difficult. However, if the wind is from the east or southeast, or there is no wind, the players will have an easier time. Thus, it will be up to me to create a set-up appropriate for determining the best players to advance.

TPC will be playing at 7,164 yards, par 72, and has seventy-three players going for five spots. It, too, can be influenced by the wind, but there is more trouble waiting to grab that errant shot. In addition to hosting the 3M Championship, the TPC has hosted a previous US Open Qualifying as well as the 2006 MGA Players' Championship. Again, the set-up will require a player to manage his game throughout the entire round in order to be successful.

So, does that mean I will make each course ridiculously difficult? No, but if players think my set-up is too hard, what do they expect to find if they successfully advance to Torrey Pines? I like to make sure players are rewarded for quality shots and struggle to make par for poor ones. The short game becomes extremely important when playing in an event like the US Open - or one of my US Open Local qualifiers.

You can follow the action on-line at the MGA web site. There you can view the list of players, starting times, and live scoring as the scores are returned. We will be providing "live" scoring for many of our events this year, so make sure you visit often during the tournament season!

And, finally, since I am talking about the US Open, I would be remiss if I didn't recommend you visit the new US Open web site. It has been completely redone and will be fabulous for following your favorite players and the entire tournament. It will be tough to keep the avid golfer's attention on work that Thursday and Friday!

On a personal note, I want to congratulate my son Zach on his induction into the National Honor Society at Rosemount High School. Way to go, Zach!

Until next time-

Doug