It’s one of the longest shots going in elite-level golf.
The odds are slim, but the potential rewards are big for those who beat them.
Yes, it’s U.S. Open qualifying time.
The U.S. Open is the only USGA championship that utilizes a two-stage qualifying process, with most entrants having to successfully negotiate Local and Sectional Qualifying in order to make it into the field for the second men’s major of the year.
As usual, three of the 112 Local Qualifying sites are based in Colorado this year. First up is an 18-hole qualifier at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Westminster on Monday (May 7). Then there’s one at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora on Wednesday (May 9) and at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins on May 15.
At each of the three sites, 84 golfers will compete for five spots — plus two alternates — in the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying, which will be held June 4 in the U.S. From there, the top finishers will land berths in the Open itself, set for June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
All told, according to the USGA, 8,537 golfers will compete at Locals for 500 spots into Sectionals.
Among those teeing it up at Walnut Creek are last year’s Local medalist at the site, 2013 CoBank Colorado Open winner Zahkai Brown of Golden; two-time Colorado Open champ and 2002 U.S. Open qualifier Derek Tolan of Denver; 2017 Sectional qualifiers Jake Staiano of Cherry Hills Village, Josh Seiple of Castle Rock and Rich Lash of Denver; Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield, who tied for third place at last year’s qualifying at Walnut Creek; and recent Big Sky Conference champion Andrew Romano of Lone Tree.
In the field at CommonGround are Ross Macdonald of Castle Rock, runner-up in the Pac-12 Conference meet; fellow 2017 Sectional qualifiers Jackson Solem of Longmont, Andy Connell of Denver and Daniel Pearson of Longmont; former Colorado Open champion Scott Petersen; PGA Tour Canada player Michael Schoolcraft of Denver; 2017 CGA Amateur champion Glenn Workman of Pueblo West; reigning Colorado PGA Professional champion John Ogden of Cherry Hills Village; and 2017 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Boys Player of the Year Davis Bryant.
And at Collindale, contestants include Parker Edens of Greeley, who has made it to Sectionals from the site four consecutive years, twice claiming medalist honors; fellow 2017 Sectional qualifier Hunter Paugh; 2011 Colorado Open champion Ben Portie of Westminster; Nick Mason, who has competed in five PGA Tour events, including the 2014 U.S. Open; and longtime mini-tour standout Riley Arp from Fort Collins
For tee times, click on the following: WALNUT CREEK, COMMONGROUND, COLLINDALE.
