Snohomish golfer set to compete in U.S. Senior Amateur

Kelly Denessen only recently got back into the swing of tournament golf. Now he’s headed to the national stage.

Denessen, who lives in Snohomish, heads to Minneapolis this weekend to take part in the U.S. Senior Amateur golf tournament, which begins Saturday at The Minikahda Club.

“This is very exciting,” Denessen said. “I’ve had some sleepless nights thinking about it.”

The 57-year-old Denessen, who plays out of Mill Creek Country Club, spent years away from being a regular on either the Washington State Golf Association or the Pacific Northwest Golf Association circuits, devoting his time to his family instead of golf.

But with all his offspring now out of the house Denessen decided to return to tournament golf, and he returned with a splash. He played in his first qualifying event for the U.S. Senior Amateur on July 24 at Seattle Golf Club and shot a 2-over par 74 to tie for medalist honors with Gig Harbor’s Jim McNelis. The top three qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur.

“I played solid,” Denessen said. “The biggest thing is I didn’t three-putt all day and I made my 4- and 5-footers for par, where most of the players were three-putting a lot of the day.”

Denessen, who was roommates with former PGA Tour star Paul Azinger when the two played at Brevard Community College in Florida in the late 1970s, advanced to the U.S. Senior Amateur, which runs from Saturday through Aug. 31 at The Minikahda Club. The tournament begins with two rounds of stroke play, which will whittle the field down to 64. From there the tournament heads to match play beginning Monday.

“My biggest goal is just to qualify, to get past two rounds of stroke play,” Denessen said. “If I can get into match play, then I’ll have reached my goal. There are no expectations after that.”

Denessen leaves Wednesday for Minneapolis. He will play practice rounds at The Minikahda Club on Thursday and Friday to prepare for Saturday’s opening round.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.