Herald staff
Few among us hold out much hope of playing in a World Series.
Same for the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Indianapolis 500 or any of the other premier international sporting events.
But for top golfers in and around Snohomish County, the dream of playing in a U.S. Open remains very real.
And realistic.
Each year golfers with low handicaps, both pros and amateurs, have an opportunity to reach the U.S. Open by advancing through local and sectional qualifying tournaments. That is, after all, why they call it an Open – there is open qualifying. Anyone has a chance to participate, as long as they meet the minimum United States Golf Association handicap – this year, 1.4 or better – and put down the entry fee of $125.
Keith Coleman of Mukilteo, an assistant pro/head superintendent at Harbour Pointe Golf Course and the 1998 Snohomish County Amateur champion, has made five tries at the U.S. Open since 1996. In his first attempt, he advanced through the local qualifying to the sectional tournament, but fell two strokes short of a U.S. Open berth. Four other times, including an attempt last Friday at Lakewood’s Oakbrook Golf and Country Club, he failed to earn a sectional spot.
Coleman was agonizingly close last week, shooting a 1-over 72 in the one-day local qualifying tournament. That was one stroke shy of a sectional berth.
Still, he expects to try again in the future. The lure, of course, is the chance to compete on one of golf’s biggest stages.
“To me, the U.S. Open is the biggest (golf) event in the world,” Coleman said. “I’d like to have that as part of my record for my golfing career. So as long as I feel I’m still playing competitive enough, I could be doing this until I’m 50 or more. I could see doing this every year.”
Playing in a U.S. Open “could do one of two things,” he added. “It could complete a dream. Or it could be a stepping stone. You never know what could happen after that.”
Coleman is not alone in his dream. Rob Rashell of Lake Stevens, a former University of Washington golfer who has turned pro, had a 72 in last week’s qualifying tournament. Rich Friend, a Mariner High School graduate who is the head pro at Tacoma Country and Golf Club, shot 75. Paul Houvener of Mill Creek, an amateur, had a 77. Richard Woo of Mukilteo, another amateur, had an 80.
Also in the local tournament was PGA Tour player Rick Fehr of Sammamish. He failed to advance after shooting a 73.
One player who did advance to the June 3-4 sectionals at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Ore., was former UW golfer Troy Kelly of Tacoma. He had a 71.
The U.S. Open will be June 13-16 on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Individual- Roberts 1.5 pts, J. Gustafson 2.5, Wallin 3, Morris 2, Kallas 2, Anderson 1, Pulliam 2.5, Binns 1, Geise 1, Snyder 2.5, S. Gustafson 3, B. Gustafson 3. Team matches- Roberts/ J. Gustafson 1.5, Wallin/Morris 2.5, Kallas/ Anderson 2, Pulliam/Binns 3, Geise/Snyder .5, S. Gustafson/B. Gustafson 3, |
Pro- 72: Collins 72, Werlink 75, Cohn 76, Crider 77, McNaughton 79. Almosts-Bergam 80, Scott 81, Daly 81, Haidle 81, VanHorn 81 |
Sub Par Winner-Jessica Bowman 28 net. Least Putts-Aimy Chappell &Barb Yosburgh 17. |
Division A-Annie Davis 23.5, Marla Patterson 26.5, Nancy Gustelius 27, MaryAnn Macchierella 27; Division B-Anna Jacobson 24, Selma Maynard 25, Lois Jensen 27.5. |
White Tee Division-1st Gross: Reid Martin 37; 2nd Gross: J. D. Clayton 41; 1st Net: (tie) Mark Kruse and Kyle Lubash 34. Red Tee Division-1st Gross: Blake Strickland 47; 2nd Gross: Nathan Slaker 51; 3rd Gross: (tie) Cameron Zwaller and Frank Fernandez 55; 1st Net: Spencer Face 38. Green Tee Division-1st Gross: Lucas Henry 49; 1st Net: Mathew Lane 41. |
First Division- Edlund 32.5, Hamilton 33. Second Division- Moa 33.5, McGlashan 35. |
Low Gross, 1st Division-Cliff Wittig 76; Low Gross, 2nd Division-Lloyd Keefe 86; Low Gross, 3rd Division-(tie) Al Furiak and John Weber 89; 1st Low Net-Joe Pauley 66; 2nd Low Net-Bill Shandera, Ron Jacobson, Don Hofstrand, Jerry Dezotell, and John King 68. |
1st Division-Mary Ann Dunbar 35, Diane Willcutt 34, Sonja Boyes. 2nd Division-Bev Sheehan 37, Gloria McKillop 34, (tie) Lois Cairns and Pat Schultz 31. 3rd Division-Judy Zerung 39, (tie) Salley Angel and Linda Brison 28. |
Gross Winners-Dale Bowers/Mark Ceruti 65; Tom Bonorden/Paul Bonorden 69; Thomas Bacyeu/Dean Last 71; Net Winners-Terry Cressey/Carlos Vilchez 63; (tie) John Anderson/Philip Bowers and Robert Cibulka/Suavek 63.5; Nick Sanders/John Shearer 64; (tie) Dave Berhardsen/Paul Schulz and Steven Wood/Roy Wood 64.5. |
Winner-Watkins +5 First Division-Prucano +3. Second Division-Warren +1. Third Division-Moen +1, Dickerman +2, McManus -1. Fourth Division-Helas -2, Moore -2. |
Individual- Peterson 1.5 (pts), Andres .5, Soley 0, Cook 1, Kroehl 1, Agee 2, Lewis .5, Goedecke 2, Gavin 2, Cease .5, Brown 0, Paningsoro 0. Team- Peterson/Andres, Soley/Cook 5, Kroehl/Agee 2, Lewis/Geodecke 0, Gavin/Cease 2, Brown/Paningsoro 0 |
John Houlihan of Carnation aced the 155-yard, No. 3 hole on Monday with a 7-iron. Dennis Mojica of Mukilteo aced the 175-yard, No. 14 hole on Saturday with a 5-iron. |
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