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
