But the final qualifier came to Colorado from his home in Alabama to earn a spot in a USGA championship that will be played in … Alabama.

If that doesn’t seem odd enough, just check out how Haymes Snedeker, an older brother of six-time PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker, earned one of the national berths on Monday:

The 37-year-old from Fairhope, Ala., spun his final shot of the day, on No. 18 at CommonGround, back into the hole for an eagle — from 90 yards out.

“Sometimes it’s supposed to be,” said the reinstated amateur. “Sometimes it’s meant to be and sometimes it certainly isn’t. I’ve been on both sides of it.”

With his spectacular finish, Snedeker vaulted from outside of the qualifying line to inside of it, ending up with a 3-under-par 68. He was joined in qualifying for the national championship — one restricted to players 25 and older — by medalist Alex Kephart (pictured) of Colorado Springs (67), CommonGround regulars Tristan Sanders and Brodie Hullinger, both of Denver (68 each), and Keith Humerickhouse of Eagle, winner of the last three CGA Mid-Amateur Championships (69).

Humerickhouse birdied his final hole of regulation (No. 9), then did likewise on the first playoff hole to overcome Jeff Chapman of Englewood, who qualified for both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2012. Chapman double-bogeyed his final hole of regulation (No. 9) to post his 69.

Five players out of a field that originally numbered 79 landed spots in the national Mid-Amateur, which will be played Oct. 5-10 in Birmingham, Ala.

Despite the Mid-Amateur being set for his home state, and a qualifying tournament also scheduled for Alabama, why did Snedeker try to qualify in Colorado, a state in which he had never played golf?

“I saw that the local qualifier was pretty crowded and I had a business meeting I had to do out here anyway, so I planned the perfect trip,” said Snedeker, a real-estate developer.

Snedeker, who won “Big Break X: Michigan” on the Golf Channel in 2008, was once a pro who hoped to join his brother on the PGA Tour. But he’s long since gotten his amateur status back, and on Monday he qualified for his fifth USGA championship, including his second Mid-Amateur. He’s made it to match play in both the Mid-Am and the U.S. Amateur Public Links.

“I played as good as I can play for the first time playing at altitude,” the former Ole Miss golfer said. “I’ve never played in Colorado before so it was a big adjustment. … But I might move out here. I love it.”

Being an Alabama resident, qualifying for a U.S. Mid-Am being held in his home state was a high priority.

“It’s a big deal for me playing in my home state,” he said. “I’m at the age where if I can catch lightning in a bottle maybe I could make some noise. That’s why it’s special. It’s (for) people like me who don’t play golf every day — the weekend warrior — so you have a chance. The U.S. Amateur, biologically I don’t have a chance. The Mid-Am, you always have a chance. Getting there is half the battle, so I’m very fortunate.”

Earning U.S. Mid-Am berths was likewise special for the Coloradans who advanced Monday from CommonGround.

Medalist Kephart qualified for his second USGA championship of 2013, having competed earlier this month in the U.S. Amateur. The 26-year-old made an eagle and four birdies, offset by two bogeys, both on par-5s. He finished with one 2 and eight 3s on his card.

“I feel like I left a little unfinished business out there (at the U.S. Amateur) and wanted to get back as soon as possible,” said Kephart, who hadn’t competed in a USGA event before this year. “So it feels pretty good.”

Even though he didn’t qualify for match play at the U.S. Amateur, the experience at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., certainly whet Kephart’s appetite for more USGA championships.

“They treat you like professionals when you’re out there. It’s pretty awesome,” he said. “The experience taught me a lot.”

Sanders, whose only previous USGA championship experience was a 2011 U.S. Mid-Am, was likewise determined to be more than a one-hit wonder on the USGA qualification stage.

“I was talking to some of the guys at the national championship and they told me this statistic and it’s been in my mind ever since: thousands of amateurs make it to USGA national championships, but only 17 percent make it to two,” said Sanders, 29. “I always wanted to make it to another one to validate that I can play” on that high level.

On Monday, Sanders eagled No. 7 and birdied the final hole. Like Hullinger, who moved to Colorado from South Dakota last year, Sanders used his home-course knowledge at CommonGround to his advantage in the qualifier. Sanders has shot as low as 64 at the course in tournament play, and Hullinger even worked at CommonGround for a while.

“I certainly feel more comfortable out here than someone who has played it two or three times, I would think,” said the 28-year-old Hullinger, who has played in the U.S. Publinks. “When I saw (the tournament) was at CommonGround I certainly thought I’d better do the qualifier here.”

Like Sanders and Snedeker, Humerickhouse has qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur before. In fact, the left-handed former professional made it to the round of 32 at the national tournament in 2010.
 

U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying
At Par-71 CommonGround GC in Aurora

QUALIFIED
Alex Kephart, Colorado Springs, Colo., 33-34–67
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo., 33-35–68
Brodie Hullinger, Denver, Colo., 33-35–68
Haymes Snedeker, Fairhope, Ala., 35-33–68
Keith Humerickhouse, Eagle, Colo., 35-34–69

ALTERNATES (in order)
Jeff Chapman, Englewood, Colo., 37-32–69
Pete Mangold, Denver, Colo., 37-33–70

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs, Colo., 37-33–70
Wes Martin, Denver, Colo., 37-33–70
Justin Kruger, Centennial, Colo., 35-35–70
Tom Krystyn, Denver, Colo., 36-35–71
James Kurtenbach, Denver, Colo., 34-37–71
Jim Doidge, Pueblo, Colo., 37-34–71
Alan Boyko, Canada, 37-34–71
Bryan Cannon, Columbine Valley, Colo., 34-37–71
Danny Riskam, Broomfield, Colo., 34-38–72
Andrew Tapia, Raton, N.M., 36-36–72
Greg Carlin, Denver, Colo., 37-35–72
Brian Richmeier, Aurora, Colo., 39-34–73
Stu Allen, Lakewood, Colo., 37-36–73
Thomas Balderston, Denver, Colo., 38-35–73
Damon Dageenakis, Erie, Colo., 37-36–73
Charles Santaularia, Denver, Colo., 38-35–73
Adam Thoutt, Westminster, Colo., 38-35–73
Chris Tenan, Windsor, Colo., 39-34–73
James Kackley, Dallas, Texas, 36-37–73
Michael Love, Magnolia, Ark., 37-37–74
David Lindquist, Castle Rock, Colo., 38-36–74
Eric Hoos, Denver, Colo., 37-37–74
Christopher Thayer, Aurora, Colo., 36-38–74
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-39–75
Bill Parker, Aurora, Colo., 37-38–75
Greg Michaels, Westminster, Colo., 35-40–75
Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo., 38-37–75
Nicholas Nosewicz, Aurora, Colo., 39-36–75
Thomas Roos, Elizabeth, Colo., 39-37–76
David Ramsden-Wood, Denver, Colo., 36-40–76
Arnold Hoy, Castle Rock, Colo., 38-38–76
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 40-36–76
Jay Orris, Boulder, Colo., 37-39–76
Jeffrey Gravina, Littleton, Colo., 38-38–76
Steve Duran, Lakewood, Colo., 37-39–76
Jim Kirk, Sylvania, Ohio, 38-38–76
Guy Mertz, Longmont, Colo., 37-40–77
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo., 36-41–77
Chris Longfellow, Castle Rock, Colo., 37-40–77
David Lysaught, Denver, Colo., 37-40–77
Ted Jorgensen, Mequon, Wis., 40-37–77
James Banyas, Denver, Colo., 37-40–77
Michael Glaesel, Arvada, Colo., 36-42–78
Tony Komatz, Eagle, Colo., 41-37–78
Kristofer Anderson, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., 38-40–78
Jason Poppenhagen, Aurora, Colo., 42-36–78
Henry Bissell, Littleton, Colo., 40-39–79
Chad Gonzalez, Denver, Colo., 41-38–79
Michael Slutzky, Glenview, Ill., 40-39–79
Reginald Kellum, Windsor, Colo., 42-37–79
Owen Ellis, Boulder, Colo., 39-41–80
Sean Griswold, Durango, Colo., 43-37–80
Shawn Mercer, Denver, Colo., 38-42–80
Trent Isgrig, Denver, Colo., 38-42–80
Mark Flisek, Denver, Colo., 40-40–80
Douglas Manske, Littleton, Colo., 40-40–80
Davin Sjoberg, Crested Butte, Colo., 41-40–81
Gary Driber, Castle Pines, Colo., 39-42–81
Webb Henderson, Denver, Colo., 40-41–81
John Luoma, Parker, Colo., 42-40–82
Eric Butler, Denver, Colo., 39-44–83
Zachary Coe, Gypsum, Colo., 41-42–83
Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-43–84
Richard Bradsby, Denver, Colo., 46-39–85
Spenser Howell, Denver, Colo., 49-40–89
Thomas Grawe, Conifer, Colo., 46-47–93
Robin Bradbury, Superior, Colo., WD
Mark Zbrzeznj, Avon, Colo., WD
Adam Goldie, Westminister, Colo., NS
Matt Call, Castle Rock, Colo., WD
Jed Fritz, Denver, Colo., NC
Patrick Ahlering, St Louis, Mo., WD
 

Nevertheless, there’s something to be said for what Polk accomplished Monday at his home course, Colorado Golf Club in Parker. After all, it’s not often that a person can not only land a spot in a USGA championship, but also be more than twice the age of one of his fellow qualifiers.

That was the case in Monday’s Sectional, which featured a very diverse group of qualifiers, age-wise. In a tournament that’s limited to players 25 and older, the five golfers who claimed national berths included two in their 50s, one in his 40s, one in his 30s and one in his 20s.

The two bookends in the age game were 56-year-old Polk and 27-year-old Tristan Sanders of Denver. In between were Mike Larson of Longmont, 50, Paul Erdman of Erie, 43, and Danny Riskam of Broomfield, 33.

That’s what you call covering the age spectrum.

“I’m 50, so I’m one of the old-timers now,” said Larson, the general manager at Boulder Country Club. “I didn’t expect to get in (to the national tournament), so I was pretty lucky.”

Added fellow 50-something Polk: “I’ll probably be the oldest guy in the field (at the U.S. Mid-Am). It’s a great big deal to me, and great fun.”

The U.S. Mid-Amateur will be played Sept. 17-22 in Richmond, Texas, near Houston.

On a day no one matched or bettered par in the 84-man Sectional Qualifying tournament at Colorado Golf Club, Sanders and Erdman (pictured from left to right) rebounded from being several over par to shoot 1-over 73s and share medalist honors. Polk, Larson and Riskam carded 74s.

It will be the first U.S. Mid-Amateur for Sanders, Erdman and Polk, and the second for Larson and Riskam. Polk, Larson and Riskam survived a four-man playoff for the final three qualifying spots. Polk and Larson made routine pars on the first hole of sudden death to advance, while Riskam earned a national berth with a par on the third playoff hole.

Former Colorado State University golfer James Kurtenbach was the odd man out in the playoff after making a double bogey following a perfect drive on the third extra hole.

Age wasn’t the only way in which the qualifiers were a diverse group. Experience in USGA championships is another. Sanders and Erdman have never before played in a non-team USGA event, and Polk has competed in one. Meanwhile, Larson will be going to his seventh and Riskam to his eighth.

“USGA events are awesome,” said Riskam, a former playing professional who previously has competed in three U.S. Amateurs, three U.S. Junior Amateurs and a U.S. Mid-Amateur. “I love to go back. It’s always a goal at the start of the year. They’re run so well and they’re always played on good golf courses, so it’s a real treat. This one has been on the calendar for a long time.”

Though Larson has competed in plenty of USGA championships, his last one was the 1998 U.S. Mid-Am, so the long wait has re-whetted his appetite.

“Anytime you can go to a USGA event, it’s just totally awesome, believe me,” said Larson, father of incoming University of Colorado golfer Gina Larson. “I’m really looking forward to it, especially with me being an old man now.”

Erdman birdied three of his last four holes Monday to share medalist honors. As his approach shot was on its way to the 18th green, he pulled a Hal Sutton, saying aloud, “Be the right club today.” The ball apparently listened, ending up a mere 6 inches from the cup for a tap-in birdie.

“I’ve missed the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Publinks by a shot, sometimes losing in a playoff,” he said. “This feels real good to finally get over that little hump.”

Sanders, who returned to competitive golf a couple of years ago after a three-year hiatus, cites rounds of 64 and 62 he shot at CommonGround and Fossil Trace, respectively, last year as a couple of career highlights, but now he’s done something that definitely rivals those.

Qualifying for a USGA championship “has been my goal for about the last three years, this one especially because my brother lives about 15 minutes from the course (in the Houston area),” Sanders said. “So this is what I was really looking forward to for the whole year.”

Colorado Golf Club, site of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship, certainly put the contestants to the test on Monday. About as many players shot 85 or higher (22) than under 80 (23).

“This course is brutally tough,” Riskam said. “It’s one of the hardest I’ve played in a long time. The greens have so much slope, you can literally putt balls into bunkers if you’re not careful. I did it in a practice round. It forces you to play defensively. You really start thinking about your next putt before you hit your first one.”
 

U.S. Mid-Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Colorado GC in Parker

QUALIFIERS
Paul Erdman, Erie, Colo. – 39-34–73
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo. – 36-37–73
Danny Riskam, Broomfield, Colo. – 36-38–74
Robert Polk, Parker, Colo. – 38-36–74
Michael Larson, Longmont, Colo. – 36-38–74

ALTERNATES (In order)
James Kurtenbach, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 36-38–74
John Luoma, Parker, Colo. – 39-36–75

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Jonathan Marsico, Denver, Colo. – 37-38–75
Andrew Dannewitz, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 35-40–75
Harold Marshall, Denver, Colo. – 38-38–76
Robin Bradbury, Louisville, Colo. – 40-36–76
Dean Clapp, Littleton, Colo. – 39-37–76
Danny Hahn, Denver, Colo. – 38-38–76
Michael Love, Castle Rock, Colo. – 41-36–77
William Fowler, Lakewood, Colo. – 36-41–77
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 44-34–78
Christopher Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 42-36–78
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo. – 41-37–78
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 40-38–78
Peter Horstman, Castle Rock, Colo. – 41-38–79
Robert Clever, Firestone, Colo. – 41-38–79
Ray Makloski, Pueblo, Colo. – 37-42–79
Perry Rickel, Castle Rock, Colo. – 43-36–79
Richard Bradsby, Denver, Colo. – 40-40–80
Dennis Fields, Golden, Colo. – 37-43–80
Pete Mangold, Denver, Colo. – 42-38–80
Chris Jones, Castle Rock, Colo. – 41-39–80
Zac Burton, Manhattan, Kan. – 40-40–80
Mark Zbrzeznj, Avon, Colo. – 41-39–80
Eric Butler, Denver, Colo. – 41-39–80
Charlie Post, Castle Rock, Colo. – 40-41–81
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo. – 40-41–81
Jay Orris, Boulder, Colo. – 40-41–81
Robert Cloud, Denver, Colo. – 42-39–81
James Kackley, Denver, Colo. – 40-41–81
Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 43-38–81
Owen Ellis, Boulder, Colo. – 44-38–82
Charles Chon, Aurora, Colo. – 42-40–82
Chris Longfellow, Castle Rock, Colo. – 40-42–82
Daniel Honer, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – 42-40–82
Ken Sady, Avon, Colo. – 42-40–82
Tim Fitzgerald, Lone Tree, Colo. – 44-38–82
Charles Scheinost, Greeley, Colo. – 40-42–82
Larry Corson, Charlotte, N.C. – 42-40–82
Thomas Musselman Jr, Lexington, Ky. – 41-42–83
Scott Patterson, Eagle, Colo. – 42-41–83
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 41-42–83
Nicholas Welshons, Englewood, Colo. – 40-43–83
Trent Isgrig, San Rafael, Calif. – 42-41–83
Steve Sullivan, Castle Rock, Colo. – 42-41–83
David Ramsden-Wood, Denver, Colo. – 42-41–83
Shane Thomas, Denver, Colo. – 38-46–84
Steve Summers, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 41-44–85
Stephen Fernandes, Denver, Colo. – 37-48–85
Scott Sullivan, Grand Junction, Colo. – 40-45–85
Eloy Ramos, Parker, Colo. – 41-45–86
Martin Prazak, Denver, Colo. – 40-46–86
Davin Sjoberg, Crested Butte, Colo. – 38-48–86
Sean Griswold, Durango, Colo. – 43-43–86
Stephen Bell, Denver, Colo. – 44-43–87
Michael Glaesel, Arvada, Colo. – 46-41–87
Ryne Scholl, Breckenridge, Colo. – 42-45–87
Thomas Roos, Castle Rock, Colo. – 45-43–88
Bradley Bugg, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 45-43–88
Jason Marshall, Aurora, Colo. – 47-41–88
Don Stoner, Arvada, Colo. – 45-43–88
Casey Hannen, Denver, Colo. – 43-46–89
Eric Fitzsimmons, Castle Rock, Colo. – 39-50–89
Cory Collins, Englewood, Colo. – 48-41–89
Bryan Pieper, Louisville, Colo. – 43-47–90
Kelly Forrester, Littleton, Colo. – 44-48–92
Dale Chavez, Centennial, Colo. – 48-46–94
Thomas Burns, Carroll, Iowa – 47-53–100
Wyck J Brown, Denver, Colo. – 48-58–106
Jeffery Holm, Parker, Colo. – NC
Rich Trout, Arvada, Colo. – NS
Billy Post, Centennial, Colo. – NC
Steve White, Jackson, Wyo. – NC
David Stewart, Denver, Colo. – WD
Trey Caldwell, Round Rock, Texas – NC
Jason Coffin, Denver, Colo. – WD
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo. – WD