Local Golfers Take First Step Toward U.S. Open At Oakmont

A field of 576 area golfers took their shot at U.S. Open glory in five tournaments staged by the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) throughout the region over the last two weeks. The hopefuls vied for 32 spots in the sectional tournament at Canoe Brook CC in Summit, NJ on June 6. 

Six players made the cut at the tournament held at Old Westbury on Long Island. Topping the field was Steve Scott, head pro at Paramount CC in New City. This marks the fourth year in a row Scott has qualified for the sectionals. Cameron Young, a freshman at Wake Forest from Scarborough and the 2015 Ike champion, earned the final qualifying spot in a 5-for-1 playoff after a par-5 eagle scored on the first playoff hole.

Willow Ridge CC in Harrison saw eight players chosen for the sectional. They included Cameron Young’s father, David, head pro at Sleepy Hollow Country Club and recent winner of the Met PGA Senior Match Play Championship. Also taking the next step were Grant Sturgeon, assistant pro at Winged Foot Golf Club, as well as 2014 Met Open winner, Mike Miller, a mini-tour player and son of Knollwood Country Club head pro Bob Miller.

Greg Bisconti, director of golf at St. Andrew’s Golf Club, made a par on the first playoff hole at Willow Ridge to earn his spot. Amateurs Tyler Cline from Tuxedo and James Nicholas from Scarsdale also made the cut. Carl Alexander, director of golf at the Golf Club of Purchase, is first alternate.

Additional local qualifiers were held at Bethpage on the Red Course, Hollywood GC, and Panther Valley GC, both in New Jersey. Throughout the country, 111 sites hosted 18-hole local qualifying rounds. Nationally, approximately 600 players from them advance to 36-hole sectional qualifying rounds. In our area, the MGA will conduct the sectional tournament at Canoe Brook CC.

The odds are long, but the rewards are great. Last year, 22 players made their way through local and sectional qualifying stages to compete in the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. This year, sectional winners will tee it up in the 116th U.S. Open Championship, to be played at Oakmont Country Club, June 16-19.