Mike Miller and John Stoltz took that big first step on the road to Shinnecock this week at Mount Kisco CC. They led the field of 90 players vying for a spot in the US Open to be played at the Long Island shrine to golf in June. Miller is a two-time MGA Player of the Year currently playing professionally on mini-tours. Stoltz was the 2005 Met Open champion.
Also claiming places in the Sectional Qualifying round were Pelham CC assistant pro Mitch Gray, Saint Andrew’s GC head pro Greg Bisconti, and 17-year-old amateur Turner Foster of East Hampton.
Stoltz and Miller tied for the top honors with rounds of 69 on the tough Mount Kisco course, which held up well to the onslaught of some of the best golfers in the region. Only three players, shot under par. The maximum handicap to play in the qualifier is 1.4, so these guys are good, but Mount Kisco held its own.
Over 8,500 players are going through the local qualifiers nationwide. The top 500 will play at the sectional level, with about 100 (depending on the exact number of exempt players) making it to the big, windy stage at Shinnecock.