When Michael Baird of Castle Rock last played tournament golf, it was August of 2013. He was the defending champion at the Oregon Trail Pro-Am, but he played poorly and missed the cut.

“I thought, ‘Let’s hang it up for a while and do something else’,” he recalled on Thursday.

After years as a playing professional, the former University of Colorado golfer had gotten to the point that the game wasn’t much fun anymore — and his performances reflected that.

But on Thursday, after more than seven months of selling real estate and just playing golf a couple of times a week, Baird made hay at the U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournament at Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster.

The 29-year-old started off his round with an inauspicious double bogey and shot a 3-over 39 for his first nine (the back), but rebounded in a big way. He made seven birdies on his final nine, shooting a 6-under-par 30 in the process. The resulting 3-under 69 gave him medalist honors on Thursday.

“I’ve shot 29 once before,” said Baird (left). “In a tournament, I think 30 is probably my low. It’s been weird lately. I’m not as sharp as I was, but I’m a lot happier on the course. And I’ve been making a lot of birdies lately. At the turn, I thought, ‘I’ve been making a lot of birdies, let’s make a bunch on the back’ — and I did. It worked out well.”

As it did for Jim Knous of Basalt, who likewise rallied on his back nine to advance to the Sectional Qualifying stage. Knous, the runner-up in the 2012 NCAA Division II finals for Colorado School of Mines, birdied five consecutive holes on the same side as Baird en route to a 70.

The other three players who made it to the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying stage did so through a four-man playoff for those who shot 71. Two Coloradans — 46-year-old amateur Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield and reigning HealthOne Colorado Open champion Zahkai Brown from Arvada — birdied the first extra hole to move on. And they were joined in the next stage by 16-year-old Colombian Ivan Ramirez, who prevailed over Josh Seiple of Castle Rock on the third playoff hole.

Brown (pictured at top) had just enough on his 12-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole for the ball to fall into the cup. “I had the same putt this morning (during regulation) and I left it just short; it just needed two more revolutions and it would have gone in. (During the playoff) I thought, ‘Oh no, it’s going to do it again.'”

But this time his ball found the bottom of the cup, meaning he’ll be going to Sectionals for the first time. And he’s following the lead of brother Zen, who punched his ticket to Sectionals on Wednesday in Maricopa, Ariz.

“It’s always good to match him,” said Zahkai, a 23-year-old former Colorado State golfer.

After Brown holed his birdie putt, Lindstrom, who used to call Heritage at Westmoor his home course until he switched to Lakewood Country Club, drained a 7-foot birdie on the same hole to secure a spot in Sectionals.

“This is probably my favorite course to play,” said Lindstrom (left), who birdied his final hole of regulation to get into the playoff. “The greens, I’m pretty comfortable with them.”

Both Seiple, a University of Mississippi signee and a two-time U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier, and Ramirez parred the first playoff hole (No. 10). And they both bogeyed the second (No. 17), with Ramirez missing an 8-foot putt and Seiple a 4-footer. Ramirez hit the par-5 18th in two and two-putted from 30 feet for birdie. Seiple went over the green in two and missed his 18-foot birdie attempt.

“I thought it was over (on 17) but he gave me some life, then I made a birdie on 18,” said Ramirez, who has never before tried to qualify for the U.S. Open.

None of those who advanced to Sectionals at Heritage at Westmoor has played in the U.S. Open before, but Baird came the closest. Two years ago, at a Sectional in Daly City, Calif., he posted scores of 69-70 and tied for eighth place. Unfortunately, seven players earned berths in the Open.

“Hopefully I’ll have some pretty good memories if I do go back there,” said Baird, who will be headed to Sectionals for the third time overall. “More than anything it proves to me that physically I was good enough (to be a successful playing professional). My head was getting in the way. I’m not going to pretend I’m as good physically right now. I’m not practicing every day. I’ll play maybe two days a week and that’s it. But my head is 5,000 times better. It’s amazing how much that matters in golf.”

On Thursday, Baird’s amazing final-nine surge included birdies on 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, offset by a bogey on No. 4. It’s play like that that gives him a glimmer of hope for making another run at the Web.com or PGA Tour.

“I like the real estate thing and it’s going well, but this is my first love,” said Baird, who played on PGA Tour Latinoamerica last year with no success. “If the stars align and this works, that would be great.”

Knous (left) is in the midst of chasing the same dream. The 24-year-old finished fourth recently in the All-American Gateway Tour Tour Championship, then qualified for a Web.com Tour event.

“I hope I can get through (Sectionals) this year,” he said. “I feel like my game is really good right now. I’ve had a good string of tournaments here for a while. If I can get some putts to drop I think I can get through.”

This marks the second consecutive year Knous has successfully negotiated U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Heritage at Westmoor.

“I think the course really does suit my game,” said Knous, who shot a 60 at Boulder Country Club en route to a runner-up finish in the 2010 CGA Stroke Play. “I can swing away out here. There’s not too much peril. Three par-5s are gettable for me (in two). I just kind of like it. I don’t know what it is, but I tend to play well here.”

A total of 69 players competed on Thursday for the five available Sectional spots.

Thursday marked the second of three U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournaments being held in Colorado this week. On Tuesday at Collindale in Fort Collins, amateurs Parker Edens of Greeley and Cameron Brown of Edwards, along with professionals Matt Rutledge of Fort Collins and Miles Philpy of Thornton earned spots in Sectionals.

On Wednesday at the Broadmoor’s West Course in Colorado Springs, Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch, Alex Kephart and David Schroeder II of Colorado Springs, Brandon Bingaman of Montrose and Derek Fribbs of Castle Rock moved on.

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.

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-72 Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster

ADVANCE TO SECTIONALS
Michael Baird, Castle Rock, Colo., 30-39–69
James Knous, Basalt, Colo., 33-37–70
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo., 34-37–71
Zahkai Brown, Arvada, Colo., 35-36–71
Ivan Ramirez, Bucaramanga, 35-36–71

ALTERNATES (In Order)
Joshua Seiple, Castle Rock, Colo., 34-37–71
Luke Symons, Aurora, Colo., 37-35–72

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Paul Erdman, Erie, Colo., 34-38–72
Kane Webber, Aurora, Colo., 35-37–72
Caine Fitzgerald, Parker, Colo., 33-39–72
Keenan Holt, Durango, Colo., 37-36–73
Scott Petersen, Parker, Colo., 36-37–73
Grant Jackson, Aurora, Colo., 35-38–73
Dustin Mills, Arvada, Colo., 36-37–73
Gus Lundquist, Parker, Colo., 37-36–73
Drew Trujillo, Montrose, Colo., 38-35–73
Ross Macdonald, Castle Rock, Colo., 37-36–73
Darrin Hall, Lakewood, Colo., 37-36–73
Geoffrey Keffer, Lakewood, Colo., 36-38–74
Joe Carlton, Lakewood, Colo., 37-38–75
Jonathan Marsico, Denver, Colo., 37-39–76
Jackson Vacek, Lafayette, Colo., 39-37–76
Mack Duke, Loxley, Ala., 37-39–76
Derek Eley, Thornton, Colo., 40-36–76
Christopher Korte, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 42-34–76
Andrew Clavin, Denver, Colo., 40-36–76
Drew Vance, Lakewood, Colo., 38-39–77
Keith Humerickhouse, Eagle, Colo., 38-39–77
Daniel Augustine, Castle Pines, Colo., 40-37–77
Jackson Solem, Longmont, Colo., 38-39–77
Ryan Schmitz, Littleton, Colo., 39-39–78
Dillon McDonald, Wolcott, Colo., 36-42–78
Steve Connell, Thornton, Colo., 39-39–78
Paul Beblavi, Aurora, Colo., 39-39–78
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 42-37–79
Chase Chaldekas, Lakewood, Colo., 37-42–79
Kobe Padilla, Centennial, Colo., 40-39–79
Grant Rogers, Boulder, Colo., 39-40–79
Matt Robertson, Lakewood, Colo., 40-39–79
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 38-41–79
Christopher Good, Denver, Colo., 40-40–80
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 41-39–80
Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-39–80
Randy Urso, Aurora, Colo., 39-42–81
Lamar Carlile, Denver, Colo., 38-43–81
Greg Johnson, Lakewood, Colo., 39-42–81
Justin Borzych, Castle Rock, Colo., 39-42–81
Kyle Burns, Denver, Colo., 42-39–81
Tim Wohlgemuth, Denver, Colo., 39-42–81
Adam Thoutt, Westminster, Colo., 37-44–81
Dean Siskowski, Johnstown, Colo., 42-39–81
Daniel Cammack, Denver, Colo., 37-44–81
Doug Manske, Littleton, Colo., 38-43–81
Dan Sniffin, Castle Rock, Colo., 41-41–82
Li Chen, Westminster, Colo., 40-42–82
Jack Allen, Centennial, Colo., 41-41–82
Stephen Horvey, Arvada, Colo., 38-44–82
William Bender, Commerce City, Colo., 39-43–82
Cole Cunningham, Centennial, Colo., 41-42–83
Douglas Wherry, Lakewood, Colo., 40-43–83
Devin Schreiner, Durango, Colo., 42-41–83
Zachary Coe, Gypsum, Colo., 40-43–83
Brandon Williams, Denver, Colo., 40-43–83
Dylan Mitchell, Breckenridge, Colo., 42-44–86
Bo Baker, Cedaredge, Colo., 41-45–86
Dan Keyghobad, Aurora, Colo., 43-44–87
Joel Perez, Denver, Colo., 45-42–87
Ben Pilon, Broomfield, Colo., 43-44–87
Cameron Berndt, Elizabeth, Colo., 48-43–91
Richard Lash, Dillon, Colo., WD
Braden Baer, Westminster, Colo., WD
Jack Cummings, Arvada, Colo., WD
Stephen Stuart, Thornton, Colo., WD
Garrett Jones, Arvada, Colo., WD
Gary Schlatter, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., WD
Jack Cavanagh, Broomfield, Colo., WD
Dustin Miller, Highlands Ranch, Colo., WD
Grant Dinkel, Boulder, Colo., WD
Adam Griffith, Westminster, Colo., WD
Robert Cummings, Fayetteville, Ark., WD
 

Bertsch won one of 11 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying tournaments being held this week in the U.S., prevailing by two strokes in Rockville, Md.

Bertsch (pictured) shot rounds of 69-71 for a 4-under-par 140 total to gain the first of seven available berths at the site. So for the first time since 1998, he will be headed to the U.S. Open, which this year will be held June 14-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco

Bertsch missed the cut in his only other U.S. Open appearance. Coincidentally, that 1998 Open also was held at The Olympic Club. But wherever the national championship takes place, the former Colorado Open champ is just glad to be competing.

“It’s the U.S. Open; it’s the biggest event in the world,” Bertsch said Monday.

The 42-year-old qualified this time a day after his best finish of the year, a 10th-place showing at the Nationwide Tour’s Rex Hospital Open.

Meanwhile, four players with strong Colorado connections missed potential playoffs by one stroke at various Sectional Qualifying sites on Monday. Kent Denver High School graduates Brandt Jobe (68-74–142) and Kevin Stadler (72-70–142) shared 18th place in Columbus, Ohio, where 16 U.S. Open berths were available.

Michael Baird of Castle Rock (69-70–139) tied for eighth place in Daly City, Calif., where seven advanced.

And James Love of Denver (66-72–138) finished fourth in Suwanee, Ga., where the top three earned national berths.

One Sectional tournament involving a local player was suspended and is scheduled to resume Tuesday. Former British Open champion David Duval of Cherry Hills Village will compete in that one in Memphis, Tenn.

One “local” player fully exempt from qualifying is former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird, who is the No. 32-ranked player in the world.

Here are the results for all 22 U.S. Open Sectional competitors with strong Colorado ties:

Rockville, Md. (78 players for 7 spots) — 1. Shane Bertsch of Parker 69-71–140, 19. Nick Mason of Denver 76-71–147.

Daly City, Calif. (129 players for 7 spots) — 8. Michael Baird of Castle Rock 69-70–139, 16. Mark Hubbard of Denver 69-72–141, 52. former University of Denver golfer Danny Wax 73-72–145, 63. Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs 75-71–146, 77. Gus Lundquist of Parker 73-75–148, 119. Danny Hahn of Denver 78-80–158, 123. Jonathan Park of Denver 79-81–160, 124. Greg Johnson of Lakewood 81-80–161.

Suwanee, Ga. (51 players for 3 spots) — 4. James Love of Denver 66-72–138.

Columbus, Ohio (132 players for 16 spots) — 18. Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe 68-74–142, 18. Kent Denver High graduate Kevin Stadler 72-70–142, 116. Ryan Brees of Steamboat Springs 85-79–164.

Creswell, Ore. (37 players for 2 spots) — 15. Ben Portie of Westminster 74-72–146, 28. Bradley Besler of Denver 77-78–155.

Glen Ellyn, Ill. (49 players for 2 spots) — 6. Leif Olson of Golden 73-67–140, 32. Derek Fribbs of Boulder 73-75–148.

Summit, N.J. (73 players for 4 spots) — 13. Andrew Svoboda of Golden 69-73–142, 41. Stuart Drahota of Fort Collins 71-77-148.

Houston (56 players for 3 spots) — 44. David Oraee of Greeley 78-74–152.

Memphis, Tenn. (84 players for 9 spots) — 41. David Duval of Cherry Hills Village 72-70–142.
     

The Albuquerque resident not only won the 2005 HealthOne Colorado Open, but he’s twice been medalist in U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo.

Five years ago, he shot a 64 and won the qualifier by four strokes. And on Monday, he overcame the cold and rain to fire a 4-under-par 67 and prevail by two.

“It feels good,” the former PGA Tour player said. “I haven’t had many good things happen in quite some time, but I’ve had some success at Walking Stick. It’s a good golf course for me. You don’t have to be extremely long, and I’ve played it quite a few times. I played some junior events there and the Southern Colorado Amateur there. It’s a good place to come.

“I’m thrilled. I have my sights set on going to the Olympic Club” in San Francisco, site of the U.S. Open June 14-17.

Collins made seven birdies on Monday — one on a chip-in — to be one of five players who advanced in the two-stage qualifying process. Also moving on out of the 82-man field were Michael Baird, James Love and Nick Mason, all from Denver, and Bradley Besler of Blessing, Texas.

Baird, a former University of Colorado golfer, carded a 69, while the other three recorded 70s.

The top five finishers earned spots in the 36-hole Sectionals, the final stage of Open qualifying. They’ll play at one of 13 Sectional tournaments held worldwide, most of which will be contested June 4.

The five players who tied at 70 on Monday had to play off for the final three Sectional berths. Love, a former University of Denver golfer who now has a Nationwide Tour card, and Mason, the 2010 Utah Open champion, joined Besler in parring all three playoff holes to advance. Dustin White, who grew up in Pueblo, bogeyed the second extra hole and Keenan Holt of Durango bogeyed the third to finish as the second and first alternates, respectively.

Collins, 33, who played on the PGA Tour in 2009, missed the cut in the U.S. Open in 2005, the same year he won the Colorado Open.

Baird made five birdies and three bogeys on Monday to join Collins as the only players to break 70 on a day that featured temperatures in the 40s and a light rain on and off.

“It felt good” to make it, said Baird, a 27-year-old who has been playing the Golfweek National Pro Tour this year. “I didn’t have my best stuff, and to still get through is encouraging.

“It was mainly just the cold that was hard to get used to. I was hitting a lot of long irons into par-4s, so it was kind of a grind.”

Baird will be going to Sectionals for the second time, though he’s never played in a U.S. Open.

Steve Irwin, son of three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin, fell short in his bid to qualify for two consecutive U.S. Opens as he shot a 77. Also missing out was Tom Glissmeyer, who qualified for the U.S. Open as a 16-year-old in 2003. He posted an even-par 71 at Walking Stick.

Monday marked the first of three U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournaments scheduled in Colorado. Others will be held May 14 at two other sites, the Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster and Collindale Golf Club in Fort Collins. The top five finishers at each course will advance to Sectional Qualifying.

All told, 9,006 entries were accepted for this year’s U.S. Open.
 

U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-71 Walking Stick GC in Pueblo

ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
Wil Collins, Albuquerque, N.M., 33-34–67
Michael Baird, Denver, Colo., 35-34–69
James Love, Denver, Colo., 37-33–70
Bradley Besler, Blessing, Texas, 35-35–70
Nicholas Mason, Denver, Colo., 36-34–70

ALTERNATES (in order)
Keenan Holt, Durango, Colo., 34-36–70
Dustin White, Pueblo, Colo., 34-36–70

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Tom Glissmeyer, Colorado Springs, Colo., 35-36–71
Luke Hickmott, Saratoga, Calif., 35-36–71
Steve Ziegler, Westminster, Colo., 34-37–71
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs, Colo., 37-35–72
Chris Smith, Denver, Colo., 38-35–73
David Simpson, Englewood, Colo., 34-39–73
Jesse Barnsley, Albuquerque, N.M., 36-37–73
Andrew Connell, Denver, Colo., 35-38–73
Steve Saunders, Albuquerque, N.M., 37-36–73
Zenon Brown, Arvada, Colo., 37-37–74
Jared Butler, Thornton, Colo., 35-39–74
Tommy Carpenter, Centennial, Colo., 36-38–74
Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo, Colo., 37-37–74
Tim Wohlgemuth, Denver, Colo., 36-38–74
Connor Klein, Lone Tree, Colo., 38-37–75
Cody Eberl, Indio, Calif., 37-38–75
Kyle Burns, Denver, Colo., 37-38–75
Walker Frey, Garden City, Kan., 37-38–75
Keith Humerickhouse, Gypsum, Colo., 36-39–75
Matthew Marino, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 37-38–75
Zechariah Potter, Wichita, Kan., 36-39–75
Mike Troyer, Parker, Colo., 37-38–75
Benjamin Moore, Englewood, Colo., 39-36–75
Brian Morfeld, Littleton, Colo., 37-39–76
David Schroeder II, Colorado Springs, Colo., 40-36–76
Michael Fan, Pearl City, Hawaii, 38-38–76
Jeremy Berbert, Westminster, Colo., 40-36–76
William Squires, Pueblo West, Colo., 39-37–76
David Cosel, Monument, Colo., 39-37–76
Jason Schmidt, Aurora, Colo., 39-37–76
David Duarte, Pueblo, Colo., 38-39–77
Peter Norwood, Denver, Colo., 37-40–77
Chris Niemiec, Saint Charles, Ill., 38-39–77
Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo., 39-38–77
Travis Wolf, Denver, Colo., 37-40–77
Sam Chapman, Parker, Colo., 37-41–78
Trey Fankhouser, Goodwell, Okla., 41-37–78
Charles Soule, Denver, Colo., 40-38–78
Andrew Romano, Littleton, Colo., 43-35–78
Zach Dunlap, Hugoton, Kan., 39-40–79
Carson Henry, Englewood, Colo., 39-40–79
Blake Young, Trinidad, Colo., 39-40–79
Garrett Froggatte, Colorado Springs, Colo., 34-45–79
Matthew Brookshier, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-41–79
Alex Crall, Aurora, Colo., 42-37–79
Eric Hallberg, Castle Rock, Colo., 38-42–80
Corey Graham, San Jose, Calif., 40-40–80
Scott Brozena, Oakland, Calif., 37-43–80
Joshua Weeden, Englewood, Colo., 39-41–80
Ethan Freeman, Littleton, Colo., 40-40–80
Ben Gibson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-38–80
Charles Rider, Centennial, Colo., 36-45–81
Riley O’Neill, Monument, Colo., 37-44–81
Adam Jardon, Monte Vista, Colo., 41-40–81
Adam Joiner, Carbondale, Colo., 43-39–82
Danny Armstrong, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 43-39–82
James Sorenson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 41-41–82
Chris Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 38-44–82
William Bernhardt, Canon City, Colo., 45-38–83
Graham McCoy, Colorado Springs, Colo., 41-42–83
Steven Anderson, Grand Junction, Colo., 41-43–84
Andrew Vance, Lakewood, Colo., 44-40–84
Cameron Connor, Boulder, Colo., 42-43–85
Ken Weiss, Centennial, Colo., 45-40–85
Matthew Unrein, Cortez, Colo., 43-42–85
Randy Urso, Aurora, Colo., 44-42–86
Brian Thomas, Aurora, Colo., 42-45–87
Nick Simmons, Greenwood Village, Colo., 40-48–88
Bradley Neher, Englewood, Colo., WD
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., WD
Richard Lash, Dillon, Colo., WD
Brian Whitehouse, Garden City, Kan., NC
Jason Bandy, Glendale, Ariz., NS
John Luoma, Parker, Colo., WD
Justin Borzych, Castle Rock, Colo., NC