U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournaments are often dominated by golfers in their 20s or late teens. It’s definitely a young man’s game — at least in that event.

But Tuesday’s Local Qualifer at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins showed that there are definitely exceptions to the rule. Out of the five players who advanced to Sectionals — the second and final stage of U.S. Open qualifying — one is 52 years old and another is 35.

Former University of Colorado golfer Derek Fribbs, a 27-year-old from Thornton, earned medalist honors with a 3-under-par 68 at Collindale, which puts more of a premium on accuracy than length, unlike many courses.

Joining him in advancing to Sectional Qualifying were 35-year-old Nick Mason of Parker (69), 52-year-old David Good of Colorado Springs (69), 27-year-old former Colorado State University golfer Parker Edens of Greeley (70), and 22-year-old former Colorado Mesa golfer Trevor McKune of Grand Junction (70). (Four of the Sectional qualifiers are pictured, from left: McKune, Good, Fribbs and Edens.)

“It’s great” to advance, said Good, who was a generation apart from many of Tuesday’s competitors. “Honestly the reason I was playing here is because I’m doing the Senior Open qualifier next week and that’s more on my radar. This was more of a warmup. It’s a bonus to get to go to Sectionals.”

Meanwhile, It’s the fifth straight year Edens (pictured at bottom) has advanced from the Local Qualifying at Collindale.

“It’s pretty crazy,” said Edens, who missed a Sectional playoff for the final U.S. Open berth by one stroke two years ago. “I’ll go back to Springfield Country Club in Ohio that I’ve played the last four years. I love the place. I’ve played well there at times. It’ll be exciting. The last month and a half I’ve felt I’ve played some of the best golf I’ve ever played.”

As for his secret to success at Collindale, Edens said, “When I first got to CSU I played it probably 10 times and I hated it. We had a six-round qualifier and the first three rounds were here and I was in last place after those three rounds. But after that I’ve played pretty good here. “

It will be the sixth Sectional for Mason, who competed in the 2014 U.S. Open, one of six PGA Tour events in which he’s played in his career.

“Just playing in Sectionals is a confidence-builder moving on,” said Mason (left), a three-time winner of the Hawaii State Open. “Even through today is just a Local Qualifier, every single shot you hit can be the shot that puts you out. And it’s not like a four-round tournament where you hit it in the trees, make double (bogey) and you’re fine. You’ve got to come back so fast from that. It’s a lot like match play. Every single shot matters. The guys who get through have done a really good job because even though there’s 80 guys for five spots doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s really hard. So it means a lot (to advance).”

Asked about his memories of playing — and missing the cut (78-75) — in the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, N.C., Mason said, “I was in 15th (place) through six or eight holes and saw my name on the board and never saw it again,” he said with a smile. “I wasn’t playing great. I kind of putted my way in that year. Now I’m hitting it good and I feel like I’ll have a chance at Sectionals. (In 2014), I got to Pinehurst and I was kind of clanking it. I wasn’t seeing the fairway, but it was still a lot of fun. II think I’ll have a little less nerves if I get back.”

Fribbs, the 2013 CGA Player of the Year, will be going to his third Sectionals. The last time he competed there, he shot a smooth 69 in the first round in 2014, but fell out of contention with a 78 after the field switched courses for the second round of the day.

“I had a younger mind back then,” he said. “It’s not the game that’s in better shape (now). It’s the mind that’s in better shape. That’s the key.”

Good and McKune will be making their Sectional debuts, with McKune never having attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open before Tuesday.

“This is big being my first qualifier,” McKune said. “Going to Sectionals, this is huge. It’s probably one of the highlights of the last few years for me.”

Fribbs, who was 2 over par after his first three holes on Tuesday, made six birdies and three bogeys to set the standard at Collindale. Good also started slowly, standing 2 over after five holes before rallying.

“This is my first competitive round in Colorado ever,” said Good, a longtime club professional who moved back to Colorado Springs recently after residing in Florida. “I’m doing math every shot. I’m still playing my sea-level yardages and trying to (adjust to the altitude). It’s a little tricky. It worked out for the most part once I remembered to do it.

“This is the first U.S. Open qualifier I’ve played in that I didn’t feel I was at a disadvantage being older and not hitting it as far because length is not an advantage on this golf course, which is rare. If you move it around well, it’s a ball-striker’s course, and if you’re on a green you have a chance to make a putt. … Here I thought we had a good shot.”

The 36-hole Sectional Qualifying in the U.S. will be contested on June 4 at 10 sites in the U.S., plus one in England that day and one in Japan on May 21. 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.

Wednesday marked the third of three Colorado-based U.S. Open Local Qualifiers this year. Last week at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Westminster, those who punched their tickets to Sectionals were John Murdock of Laramie, Wyo.; Steven Kupcho of Westminster; Josh Seiple of Castle Rock; Trevor Olkowski of Grand Junction; and Zahkai Brown of Golden. Then at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, advancing were Jonathan Kuzava of Littleton, Tom Gempel of Lone Tree, Glenn Workman of Pueblo West, Jack Castiglia of Lakewood and Davis Bryant of Aurora.

The U.S. Open is the only USGA championship that utilizes a two-stage qualifying process, with many 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.
 

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-71 Collindale GC in Fort Collins
ADVANCE TO SECTIONALS
Derek Fribbs, Thornton 68
Nick Mason, Parker 69
David Good, Colorado Springs 69
Parker Edens, Greeley 70
Trevor McKune, Grand Junction 70

ALTERNATES (In Order)
George Markham, Phoenix 71
Riley Arp, Fort Collins 71

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

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.

It wasn’t pretty, but it’s what he had to deal with if he wanted to play the game.

But for the last couple of years, the PGA director of golf at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins has been feeling better than he had for a long time, which has become apparent with his results on the course.

“I’m trying to transition out of a swing I had to create when my elbow was really bad — before I got it fixed,” Smigelsky explained on Thursday. “I created some really, really bad habits, and it’s just this year where the swing is back to a decent golf swing. I had to make a really bad golf swing to be able to play when my elbow was damaged.”

How much better have things gotten for the 56-year-old from Fort Collins?

Smigelsky (pictured), fresh off a top-10 finish at last week’s CoBank Colorado Senior Open, shared medalist honors Thursday and qualified for the U.S. Senior Open for the first time.

He shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead a qualifying field that originally numbered 84 at Meadows Golf Club in Littleton. Also firing a 68 and advancing to the Senior Open was Billy Tuten of Sugar Land, Texas, a two-time U.S. Amateur Public Links champion.

This year’s U.S. Senior Open will be contested June 29-July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass.

“(Qualifying) is pretty cool,” said Smigelsky, who will be playing in his first major championship. “This is absolutely the tops for me thus far” as a golf accomplishment.

“We’re playing against a lot of guys who just play golf for a living. It’s exciting for me to at least be able to compete with them. Not that I’m going to beat them every time, but with as little golf as I play being a club pro, it’s very satisfying (to qualify). It’s exciting for me.”

Smigelsky, the 2015 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Champion, played his final nine holes (the front at Meadows GC) on Thursday in 4 under par to earn the Senior Open berth. For the day, he finished with six birdies and two bogeys.

“I hit it well,” he said. “I only missed one green (in regulation) and that was real close. My putter actually let me down. I didn’t putt it very well. The birdies that I made were very close and I three-putted a couple of times. I thought that was going to keep me out of it. But I played my second nine in 4 under and that got me back in it.

“It’s kind of funny to have the golf ball go where I’m aiming it. That’s probably the difference right now.”

Smigelsky has never competed in a USGA championship before. Twice the longtime Coloradan has been a medalist in U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournaments and five times he’s gone to U.S. Open Sectional Qualfying, but he’s never made it to the big show itself.

As for Tuesday’s other U.S. Senior Open qualifier, Tuten carded a five-birdie, one-bogey round to tie for the best score of the day.

Charlie Post of Castle Rock will be the first alternate after posting a 69 at Meadows. Victor Minovich of Littleton carded a 70 for the second alternate position.

Five-time U.S. Senior Open qualifier Ron Vlosich of Lakewood recorded a 72 on Thursday.
 

U.S. Senior Open Qualifying
At Par-72 Meadows GC in Littleton
QUALIFIED FOR U.S. SENIOR OPEN
Dale Smigelsky, Fort Collins 32-36–68
Billy Tuten, Sugar Land, Texas 33-35–68
ALTERNATES (In order)
Charlie Post, Castle Rock 35-34–69
Victor Minovich, Littleton 36-34–70

For all the scores from Thursday’s qualifier, CLICK HERE.

Three of coach Jason Preeo’s former players at Valor Christian High School had advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying in the last eight days, and he didn’t want to be left out of the party.

So the 38-year-old from Highlands Ranch not only earned a Sectional berth of his own on Tuesday, but he shared medalist honors in the U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournament at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins.

Preeo, who made the cut in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, carded five birdies and shot a 4-under-par 67 to tie for the low score at Collindale with former Colorado State University golfer Parker Edens (pictured) of Greeley. So Preeo will be joining his former Valor players Jake Staiano, Josh Seiple and Ross Macdonald in advancing to 36-hole Sectional Qualifying, which will be held on June 5 at 10 sites in the U.S. The U.S. Open itself is set for June 15-18 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.

“I’ve got to keep up with those (former Valor) guys,” said Preeo, an instructor at the MetaGolf Learning Center in Englewood. “We’ve had three of them get through, so I couldn’t let them show me up today.”

Five players in all — out of a field that originally numbered 84 — from the Collindale qualifier will be headed to Sectionals. In addition to Preeo and Edens, advancing on Tuesday were 2015 5A state high school champion Hunter Paugh of Fort Collins, the University of South Dakota golfer who lives on the course at Collindale and shot 69; former University of Colorado golfer David Oraee of Greeley (71); and CSU senior Blake Cannon (72).

Edens has been a fixture among those who advance from the Collindale qualifier, having made it to Sectionals from the site four consecutive years, twice claiming medalist honors. On Tuesday, he did the trick with a bogey-free 67 that included birdies on all three of the par-5s.

“I’ve always played good here,” said the 26-year-old, who has conditional status on the Web.com Tour this year. “I’ve kind of got it figured out. I feel pretty comfortable here” after playing the course roughly 100 times. “I putted well today, but I always putt well here. I can be putting bad (in general) and come here and putt well.

“It’s been a tough winter and I came back here and this place is always good to me. My game’s been coming around, and it came around at the right time.”

A year after Edens and Oraee survived a seven-man playoff to land the final two spots from the Collindale qualifier — and later finished one and two shots, respectively, out of Sectional playoffs for berths into the 2016 U.S. Open — there was a six-man playoff on Tuesday. Two days after shooting a 62 at nearby Ptarmigan Country Club, Cannon won the playoff at Collindale. After Andrew Moore of Loveland pitched in from 23 yards for birdie on the first extra hole, Cannon sank a 5-foot birdie of his own. Then Cannon prevailed on the second playoff hole with a routine par after Moore drove it into the left trees for the second straight time, then pitched out and eventually settled for a bogey.

“In a six-man playoff, obviously the odds are low,” said Cannon (left), a resident of Mesa, Ariz., who won two individual college titles in a week for CSU earlier this season. “Going to (hole) 10, you have to make birdie. Andrew hit a great chip — it’s not how you expect someone to make a birdie, but he did — and to make that 5-footer on top to extend it was fun. Then I played 18 really solid. I had a lot of good shots under pressure.

“It feels good to have an opportunity (to qualify for the U.S. Open). You can’t make it unless you get there (to Sectionals), so it’s just one step at a time.”

Like Edens, Paugh used his expansive knowledge of Collindale to pay dividends on Tuesday. The 19-year-old sank two 40-foot putts and chipped in from 20 feet.

“It was really nice to come back to this course, which I played growing up,” said Paugh, who estimates he’s played Collindale 200 times in his life. “I know the course, I know where to hit the ball, I know what to hit off the tee, so I feel like it gave me a great advantage going into it. Being familiar with the course is a big deal.”

As for Oraee (below) — a past winner of both the CGA Amateur and the CGA Match Play — after having to survive the seven-man playoff last year at Collindale, he desperately wanted to avoid the logjam at 72 on Tuesday, and he did that with a one-birdie, one-bogey round.

“The goal is always to play in the U.S. Open, so to have that opportunity is nice,” said the 23-year-old, who made it to the round of 16 at the 2015 U.S. Amateur. “I think I’m a lot better player than last year, so hopefully I can save a couple of shots here or there (at Sectionals) and get the job done. The goal today was obviously to get through; that’s all you’re thinking about. It’s my first tournament in a while, so it’s good to get the feet wet and get ready for tournament golf.”

This will be roughly the sixth Sectional Qualifying for Preeo, who on Tuesday was playing just his fourth round of the year; the fourth Sectional for Edens, all from Collindale; the third for Oraee; and the first for Cannon and Paugh, who was attempting to qualify for the first time.

Preeo remembers well being in 16th place at the midway point of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (75-70–145) before struggling the last two rounds, shooting 82-84 on the weekend to finish 82nd.

“It was cool, but it was very bittersweet to have played decent golf the first couple of days, then play so poorly (on the weekend),” he said. “That’s the biggest motivation — to maybe play a little differently or do some things differently.

“It’s exciting just to get another chance. Having been through the whole process, you have an opportunity and hopefully you play well.”

Three professionals — Preeo, Edens and Oraee — and amateurs Paugh and Cannon made up the five players who advanced on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s round was delayed by about two hours in the afternoon by lightning, with 17 golfers sticking around to resume play after having their round interrupted.

Last week at the first Colorado-based Local Qualifying tournament at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, Zahkai Brown of Golden, Seiple of Castle Rock, Staiano of Englewood, Pat Grady of Denver, and Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield earned spots into Sectionals. Lindstrom originally was the first alternate, but he advanced when Chris Thayer of Golden withdrew the day after qualifying for Sectionals.

Then on Monday at CommonGround Golf Course, advancing were Rich Lash of Denver, Jackson Solem of Longmont, Jacob Lestishen of Lone Tree, Macdonald of Castle Pines and Andy Connell of Denver.

ELSEWHERE (Updated May 17): Meanwhile, other players with strong Colorado ties have advanced to Sectionals from Local Qualifiers outside the state.

Among them:

— PGA Tour player Shane Bertsch of Parker tied for third place with a 70 at the Dallas Athletic Club on May 17.

— Amateur Greg Condon of Monte Vista shared medalist honors with a 70 in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., on May 2.

— And former University of Colorado golfer Justin Bardgett was medalist in Raymore, Mo., on May 15, firing a 70.

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
ҬAt Par-71 Collindale GC in Fort Collins

ADVANCE TO SECTIONALS
Jason Preeo, Highlands Ranch 34-33–67
Parker Edens, Greeley 34-33–67
Hunter Paugh, Fort Collins 34-35–69
David Oraee, Greeley 36-35–71
Blake Cannon, Mesa, Ariz. 36-36–72

ALTERNATES (in order)
Andrew Moore, Loveland 39-33–72
Tony Aguilar, Arvada 36-36–72″¨

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

Tuesday proved a notable milestone in the golf career of David Oraee.

It marked the former University of Colorado golfer’s first competition as a professional. It also was his first tournament since falling in the round of 16 at the 2015 U.S. Amateur last August.

Unfortunately for the 2015 CGA Player of the Year, he was sick in the days leading up to Tuesday’s U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins. So sick that his “tonsils basically swelled shut. I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “The doctor gave me a bunch of meds to get the swelling down so I could breathe and eat and stuff. The swelling just went down two days ago. So I was kind of feeling weak all day, not 100 percent.”

Under those circumstances, it was not surprising that the winner of the 2013 CGA Match Play and 2014 CGA Stroke Play didn’t play up to his standards. Still, that didn’t keep him from punching his ticket into the second and final stage of U.S. Open qualifying.

Oraee (pictured above) advanced to next month’s 36-hole Sectional Qualifying on Tuesday along with fellow Coloradans Behrod Keshtavar of Lafayette, Andrew Moore of Loveland and fellow Greeley resident Parker Edens. Also moving on to Sectionals was Matthew Liringis of Chandler, Ariz., who grew up in Fort Collins.

At the third and final U.S. Open Local Qualifier scheduled for Colorado, Keshtavar and Liringis shared medalist honors in cold and sometimes wet conditions after matching 2-under-par 69s. Moore fired a 70, while the two Greeley products — Oraee and Edens — carded 72s.

Oraee and Edens, a former Colorado State player who’s also a pro, prevailed in a seven-players-for-two-spots playoff. After going par-par on the first two extra holes, Oraee two-putted for birdie from the fringe on the third playoff hole, a par-5, while Edens likewise posted a birdie there after intentionally blading a wedge from just off the green to right next to the cup. The two Greeley residents have long crossed paths — in high school and college (Oraee at Greeley West and CU and Edens at Greeley Central and CSU) — and Oraee defeated Edens in the 2013 CGA Match Play final.

Frederick Gluck of Boulder, who also shot 72, gained the first alternate spot and Jacob Lestishen of Lone Tree the second. Likewise in the playoff were CSU golfer Alec Bone and Adam Joiner of Carbondale (both eliminated by bogeys on the first extra hole) and former CU golfer Kane Webber (ousted by a bogey on the second playoff hole).

The five golfers who advanced from Tuesday’s 83-man qualifier will compete in one of 10 U.S.-based 36-hole Sectional Qualifiers that be contested on June 6. From there, the top finishers will advance to the Open itself, set for June 16-19 at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club.

For Oraee, it was nice to get back to tournament golf after a nine-month layoff in which he graduated from CU in December and took the Medical College Admission Test last month.

“It’s crazy to think it’s been (nine) months,” the 22-year old said on Tuesday. “I like tournament golf a lot. This is why I play golf. It’s good to get back into it. This was a perfect event to ease into my schedule.

“But I’ve never played this bad and won something. I was everywhere on this course today. With my driver I hit two fairways, including the playoff. I had two birdies today, including the playoff. I was in grind mode. I just kind of stuck with it, didn’t give up. I guess that’s how I did it.”

It will be the second time competing in Sectionals for Oraee and Liringis, the third time (all in the last three years) for Edens, and the first for Moore and Keshtavar, the only amateur of the bunch.

Edens (left), winner of three mini-tour events over the last year, was glad to earn a return trip to Sectionals after what happened there last year in Springfield, Ohio. He was 5 under par through 27 holes and right in the mix for a U.S. Open berth, but proceeded to shoot 43 on the back nine to dash his chances. Edens still has the scorecard with that back-nine 43 in his parent’s house to serve as motivation going forward.

“I knew I was close at 5 under with nine to go,” he said Tuesday. “It kind of reminded me every time I was home of how close I was. It left a bad taste in my mouth so I’m really excited to get back.”

Each of the three times Edens has advanced to Sectionals, it’s been through Local Qualifying at Collindale. And last year and this, he had to survive playoffs to move on.

“I love Collindale,” the 25-year-old said. “When I was an amateur I played in their invitational every year and won it a couple of times. I just love playing here. I have good vibes here. It’s always been good to me.”

While Edens and Oraee didn’t play very well on Tuesday, Keshtavar, Liringis and Moore were certainly on their games in posting the only sub-par scores out of the field of 83. (The medalists are pictured, with Keshtavar at left.)

“It’s a lifelong dream of mine (to play in the U.S. Open),” said Keshtavar, 19, winner of the 2013 Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour Tournament of Champions and the 2015 Boulder City Amateur. “I think I have the game. I just need to put in the practice and see what I can do out there.”

Liringis has made it through to Sectionals in each of the last two years — the only two times he’s ever tried. He advanced at Collindale both years with scores of 69, each time overcoming a double bogey on the fifth hole. This time, he bounced back with an eagle from 11 feet on No. 6 and a birdie on No. 7.

Last year, Liringis nearly parlayed his Sectional appearance into a spot in the U.S. Open, but two late bogeys left him two shy of what played off for the final spot in Newport Beach, Calif.

“It’s definitely a big confidence boost to have the opportunity again to play in Sectionals,” said Liringis, a former Arizona state high school champion who turned pro right out of high school. “It’s a cool and fun experience.”

As it no doubt will be for Moore, a 38-year-old pro who returned to the game seven or eight years ago after rarely picking up a club for eight or 10 years. On Tuesday, he used an adjustment he made Monday while putting in his living room to roll the flagstick extremely well at Collindale, including draining a 40-footer.

“It’s incredible,” he said of making Sectionals. “We all have our goals, and this is one of them. It’s a pretty outstanding way to start the year.”

Previously moving on to Sectionals from Colorado sites were, at Heritage at Westmoor, Coloradans Jim Knous, Bryan Kruse, Cameron Harrell, Scott Petersen and Andrew Romano; and at The Broadmoor, Coloradans Brandon Barron, Chris Thayer and Derek Tolan, along with Wil Collins of Albuquerque, N.M., and Landon Johnson of South Pasadena, Calif.
 

U.S. Open Local Qualifier

Collindale Golf Course Fort Collins Par 71

ADVANCE TO SECTIONALS
Matthew Liringis, Chandler, Ariz. 35-34–69
Behrod Keshtavar, Lafayette, Colo. 36-33–69
Andrew Moore, Loveland, Colo. 35-35–70
Parker Edens, Greeley, Colo. 37-35–72
David Oraee, Greeley, Colo. 38-34–72
ALTERNATES (in order)
Frederick Gluck, Boulder, Colo. 35-37–72
Jacob Lestishen, Lone Tree, Colo. 36-36–72
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Kane Webber, Denver, Colo. 36-36–72
Alec Bone, Bluffdale, Utah 36-36–72
Adam Joiner, Carbondale, Colo. 37-35–72
Geoff Keffer, Lakewood, Colo. 37-36–73
Drew McCullough, Richland, Wash. 38-35–73
Chris Bourdeon, Castle Pines, Colo. 37-36–73
Josh McLaughlin, Loveland, Colo. 37-36–73
AJ Ott, Fort Collins, Colo. 37-36–73
Brenden Bone, Bluffdale, Utah 37-36–73
Trevor Glen, Thornton, Colo. 39-34–73
Andrew Connell, Denver, Colo. 37-36–73
Justin Howell, Cheyenne, Wyo. 39-35–74
Andrew Cooper, Englewood, Colo. 37-37–74
Glenn Workman, Pueblo West, Colo. 39-35–74
Griffin Barela, Lakewood, Colo. 40-35–75
Chase Nathe, Timnath, Colo. 39-36–75
Quintin Pope, Cheyenne, Wyo. 37-38–75
Colby Anderson, Rapid City, S.D. 38-37–75
Riley Arp, Scottsdale, Ariz. 37-38–75
Joshua Seiple, Castle Rock, Colo. 39-36–75
Spencer Painton, Aurora, Colo. 38-37–75
Marc Silva, Greeley, Colo. 38-37–75
Cameron Brown, Cave Creek, Ariz. 41-35–76
Ethan Neumann, Henderson, Nev. 37-39–76
Jason Holley, Englewood, Colo. 40-36–76
Keith Humerickhouse, Eagle, Colo. 40-36–76
Andrew Rathbun, Aurora, Colo. 39-37–76
Kyler Dunkle, Fort Collins, Colo. 37-39–76
Dominic Kieffer, Byron, Minn. 40-36–76
Cameron Freeman, Fort Collins, Colo. 39-38–77
Daniel Pearson, Longmont, Colo. 39-38–77
John Philpy, Thornton, Colo. 40-37–77
Braden Baer, Westminster, Colo. 41-36–77
Michael Tait, Littleton, Colo. 39-38–77
Timothy Amundson, Littleton, Colo. 40-37–77
Bryan Hackenberg, Thornton, Colo. 40-37–77
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Carbondale, Colo. 38-39–77
Joel Norwood, Denver, Colo. 37-40–77
Bobby Bindert, Cheyenne, Wyo. 39-38–77
Ethan Castle, Phoenix, Ariz. 38-40–78
Chase Federico, Pueblo, Colo. 42-36–78
Tyler Verdun, Fort Collins, Colo. 42-36–78
Logan Iverson, Kalispell, Mont. 37-41–78
Aaron Johnson, Laramie, Wyo. 38-40–78
John Murdock, Laramie, Wyo. 41-38–79
Ryan Burke, Longmont, Colo. 43-36–79
Trey Kidd, Fort Collins, Colo. 43-36–79
Cody Krueger, Fort Collins, Colo. 42-37–79
Brett McCarville, Sidney, Neb. 42-37–79
Pierce Trumper, Fort Collins, Colo. 40-39–79
Barry Milstead, Castle Rock, Colo. 42-37–79
Tyler Kahn, Castle Rock, Colo. 41-38–79
Jackson Solem, Longmont, Colo. 40-39–79
Josh Caridi, Fort Collins, Colo. 43-37–80
Trey Lambrecht, Sterling, Colo. 41-39–80
Matt Hart, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 46-35–81
Jon Klingensmith, Wheat Ridge, Colo. 41-40–81
Oliver Jack, Denver, Colo. 40-41–81
Kyle McGee, Mountain View, Colo. 43-38–81
Dylan Jirsa, Estes Park, Colo. 40-41–81
Jack Cummings, Arvada, Colo. 43-38–81
Troy Dangler, Grand Junction, Colo. 38-44–82
Eric McCrery, Fort Collins, Colo. 46-37–83
Richard Lee, Aspen, Colo. 44-39–83
Blake Young, Trinidad, Colo. 41-42–83
Kyler Booher, Carbondale, Colo. 46-37–83
Brandon Booth, Cheyenne, Wyo. 41-43–84
Justin Carlock, Severance, Colo. 45-39–84
Dean Sessions, Westminster, Colo. 45-39–84
Bretton Krantz, Windsor, Colo. 42-43–85
Taylor Schlom, Fort Collins, Colo. 43-42–85
James Roush, Pueblo, Colo. 44-41–85
Dustin Box, Fort Collins, Colo. 46-43–89
Christopher Dennis, Highland Ranch, Colo. 51-42–93
Alex Macaluso, Denver, Colo. WD
Jeff Holm, Parker, Colo. NC
 

A month or so ago at a Colorado State University golf practice, the coaches were asking what major championship the players would most like to win.

Given that it was around Masters time, the Ram players almost unanimously said slipping on the green jacket would be the ultimate.

Senior Parker Edens begged to differ.

“I was the only guy who didn’t say the Masters. I said the U.S. Open because I like the grind,” the 23-year-old from Greeley recounted on Tuesday. “I like when par is valuable. And par was very valuable today. There are birdies out there, but there weren’t a lot to be had. So it’s special to move on and keep open the possibility of playing in our national championship.”

Edens, runner-up in the CGA Match Play each of the last two years, took the first step toward earning a berth in his cherished U.S. Open on Tuesday when he shared medalist honors in a Local Qualifying tournament at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins.

For the first time, Edens advanced to the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying, the final stage in the Open qualifying process. On a cold, windy day, he fired a 1-under-par 70 on Tuesday to tie for the top spot at Collindale with fellow amateur Cameron Brown of Edwards. Both Edens and Brown (pictured together above, with Brown at left) plan to turn professional within the next year.

Edens, who will graduate from CSU with a degree in communications on Saturday, and another player with strong Fort Collins ties, local resident Matt Rutledge, punched their tickets to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying though their performance at Tuesday’s 18-hole Local Qualifying tournament.

Rutledge, the 2013 Wyoming State Open champion, and Miles Philpy of Thornton, both professionals, shot 71s, then made birdies on the first hole of a four-man playoff to move on. Both almost hit the green in two on the par-5 first hole of sudden death, then got up and down for birdies. Rutledge, who has periodically worked in the golf shop at Collindale over the years, made a 5-foot putt, while Philpy knocked in a 2-footer.

Former Fort Collins resident Riley Arp, who prevailed in a playoff in this tournament last year, came up short in sudden death this time, making a par on the first extra hole and settling for the first-alternate spot. Ethan Castle of Centennial likewise parred the first playoff hole and ended up second alternate.

Edens (left) put together a round suited for the U.S. Open — 17 pars and a birdie — to post one of Tuesday’s two sub-par scores.

“I just kind of plodded along and took what the course gave me and I ended up with a decent score,” he said. “It’s pretty rare when I make six or seven birdies a round. I usually make three or four and a ton of pars. I hit a lot of greens, a lot of fairways.”

In other words, he plays U.S. Open golf.

Like Edens, Brown will be making his first trip to U.S. Open Sectionals. The Battle Mountain High School graduate made four birdies on Tuesday en route to his 70.

“It’s awesome, a great step, and I’m really looking forward (to Sectionals),” said the 21-year-old. “I hope to keep playing well. It’s just a great experience. I feel like the golf game now is capable of (competing at bigger events). This is definitely one of my better golf accomplishments.”

Though Collindale isn’t his home course — Fort Collins Country Club is — Rutledge (left) has enough experience at the former that it’s fair to say he had a little advantage on the field Tuesday. The 28-year-old Fort Collins High School graduate estimates he’s played Collindale 60-70 times in his life. And two years ago, he likewise advanced to U.S. Open Sectionals from a Local Qualifier at the course.

“I had a good feeling when I woke up this morning,” said Rutledge, who made two birdies and two bogeys during regulation. “I haven’t played much golf the last three weeks. That was my first 18 holes in probably a month. But I guess all the putting I did the last week out here paid off. I just sat over 5-6 footers and putted those all day.

“I came out, no expectations, and just let her rip — and it worked out.”

Philpy (left), like Rutledge a 28-year-old playing professional, is going through the U.S. Open qualifying process for the first time. And a strong ending to the day on Tuesday paid off.

On the 17th hole of regulation, the Regis University graduate almost holed out from 134 yards for eagle, settling for a 1-inch birdie. Then after leaving his tee shot behind trees on No. 18, he hit a big-slicing 4-iron that ended up just left of the green. He narrowly missed chipping in for birdie. He did what he needed to do to get into a playoff, then went driver-4-iron, chip en route to his 2-foot birdie in sudden death.

“It’s a big deal for anyone (to advance),” he said. “If you get through Sectionals, you’re in the U.S. Open. That’s a pretty cool thing. I’ll be working hard, have my head down and try to do the best I can.”

Tuesday’s tournament marked the first of three U.S. Open Local Qualifiers planned for Colorado. The 18-hole Local Qualifers at Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster and the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs have been rescheduled twice due to this week’s snowfall.

Those tournaments, originally set for Monday and then moved back to Tuesday, will now be played later this week. The one at the Broadmoor’s West Course is now scheduled for Wednesday, with play beginning at 10 a.m. The qualifier at Heritage at Westmoor has been moved to Thursday, starting at 8 a.m. Heritage at Westmoor is scheduled to host a 36-hole U.S. Women’s Open Sectional Qualifier on Wednesday.

A total of almost 230 players are involved in this week’s 18-hole U.S. Open Local Qualifiers in Colorado, with 78 having competed at Collindale, 75 set for the Broadmoor on Wednesday and 76 at Heritage at Westmoor on Thursday. Five U.S. Open Sectional berths will be up for grabs at each site at the Broadmoor and Heritage at Westmoor.

Largely because of the two Monday qualifiers being moved due to the weather, quite a few players have withdrawn from the competitions, including several participants in the NCAA Division I regional tournaments that are set to begin on Thursday.

The players who advance this week will play in one of a dozen 36-hole Sectional Qualifiers, with the 10 in the U.S. scheduled for June 2. The U.S. Open itself will be held June 12-15 at the Pinehurst Resort’s No. 2 course in North Carolina.

Worldwide, a record 10,127 golfers sent in entries for the U.S. Open this year.
 

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-71 Collindale GC in Fort Collins

ADVANCE TO SECTIONALS
Cameron Brown, Edwards, Colo., 37-33–70
Parker Edens, Greeley, Colo., 35-35–70
Matt Rutledge, Fort Collins, Colo., 36-35–71
Miles Philpy, Thornton, Colo., 37-34–71

ALTERNATES (In Order)
Riley Arp, Fort Collins, Colo., 35-36–71
Ethan Castle, Centennial, Colorado, 36-35–71

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Cameron Freeman, Fort Collins, Colo., 34-38–72
Behrod Keshtavar, Erie, Colo., 35-37–72
Tom Gempel, Parker, Colo., 36-36–72
Klinton Krieger, Cheyenne, Wyo., 37-35–72
Nathan Lashley, Scottsdale, Ariz., 37-35–72
Tom Whitney, Usafa, Colo., 38-35–73
Brett Wilson, Mesa, Ariz., 35-38–73
Joe Lord, Arvada, Colo., 39-34–73
Cameron Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo., 39-35–74
Charles Soule, Denver, Colo., 39-36–75
Nick Hodge, Littleton, Colo., 38-37–75
Jordan Burgess, Windsor, Colo., 37-38–75
Brendan Connolly, Castle Rock, Colo., 37-38–75
Dillon Joslyn, Castle Rock, Colo., 39-36–75
Michael Larson, Boulder, Colo., 37-38–75
Nick Umholtz, Greeley, Colo., 37-39–76
Kale Waaso, Aurora, Colo., 38-38–76
Marc Silva, Greeley, Colo., 39-37–76
Kyler Booher, Carbondale, Colo., 41-35–76
Kyler Dunkle, Larkspur, Colo., 40-37–77
Sean Kato, Greeley, Colo., 39-38–77
John Ogden, Castle Pines North, Colo., 40-37–77
Jason Preeo, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-36–77
Jeff Berthiaume, Fort Collins, Colo., 39-38–77
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 38-39–77
Quintin Pope, Cheyenne, Wyo., 38-39–77
Alex Gorman, Broomfield, Colo., 38-39–77
Matthew Sullivan, Denver, Colo., 40-37–77
Andrew Moore, Henderson, Colo., 39-38–77
Colby Anderson, Rapid City, S.D., 39-38–77
Leif Olson, Golden, Colo., 40-37–77
Trey Kidd, Fort Collins, Colo., 38-39–77
Ethan Yamada, Arvada, Colo., 39-39–78
Riley O’Neill, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-40–78
Bryan Hackenberg, Thornton, Colo., 40-38–78
Charles Santaularia, Denver, Colo., 40-38–78
Barry Erwin, Aurora, Colo., 40-38–78
Jesse Wright, Littleton, Colo., 39-40–79
Vince Buelk, Fort Collins, Colo., 40-39–79
Jon Levy, Boulder, Colo., 39-40–79
Adam Joiner, Carbondale, Colo., 39-40–79
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-38–79
Patrick Adams, Greeley, Colo., 40-39–79
Brad Neher, Englewood, Colo., 41-38–79
Ryan Blechle, Denver, Colo., 37-42–79
Pierce Trumper, Fort Collins, Colo., 39-40–79
Timothy Meyer, Rapid City, S.D., 40-39–79
Richard Lee, Aspen, Colo., 40-40–80
Michael Passananti, Pueblo, Colo., 41-39–80
Paul Wosachlo, Longmont, Colo., 40-40–80
Zachary Wrobel, Aurora, Colo., 41-39–80
Matthew Goddard, Fort Collins, Colorado, 40-41–81
Tyler Bricker, Fort Collins, Colo., 38-43–81
Minkyu Jeon, Lakewood, Colo., 39-42–81
Dominic Kieffer, Byron, Minn., 41-40–81
Eric Hill, Fort Collins, Colo., 43-38–81
Bobby Bindert, Cheyenne, Wyo., 39-42–81
Chase Federico, Pueblo, Colo., 43-39–82
Tyler Kahn, Castle Rock, Colo., 43-40–83
Ryan Burke, Longmont, Colo., 42-42–84
Dean Sessions, Westminster, Colo., 42-42–84
Carson Henry, Englewood, Colo., 40-44–84
Trey Lambrecht, Sterling, Colo., 42-42–84
Conrad Miller, Boulder, Colo., 42-42–84
Cole Folwell, Boulder, Colo., 45-40–85
Jeff Shepherd, Kiowa, Colo., 43-42–85
Brad Besler, Colorado Springs, Colo., 47-39–86
Matt Yeager, Morrison, Colo., 42-45–87
Cole Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-46–88
Travis Wolf, Denver, Colo., WD
Michael Swing, Thornton, Colo., WD
Patrick Kim, Pleasanton, Calif., WD