NORTON, Massachusetts – Ten competitors with Massachusetts ties will be among the hundreds competing at various sites across the United States on Monday, June 4, at U.S. Open sectional qualifiers with the hopes of advancing to the 118th Championship Proper, being contested at New York’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club from June 14-17.
Across all sites, competitors will play 36-holes on Monday with a to-be-determined number of spots on the line to the Championship Proper at each facility.
A total of 10 sectional qualifiers will be held across the United States on Monday, with an 11th being contested on the same day at England’s Walton Heath Golf Club. Recently, three competitors advanced to the U.S. Open Championship from the May 21 U.S. Open sectional qualifier that was contested at Japan’s Japan Memorial Golf Club.
Of the 10 competitors from the Bay State competing in U.S. Open sectional qualifying on Monday, three advanced from the Pinehills Golf Club local qualifier held on May 10, and four advanced from a pair of local qualifiers held at Stockbridge Golf Club and Pawtucket Country Club (R.I.) on May 14.
Quincy’s Michael Welch advanced from Florida’s Lago Mar Country Club local qualifier, which was held on May 7. Taconic Golf Club head golf professional, Josh Hillman, who was originally named a second alternate at the Stockbridge Golf Club local qualifier, was recently notified that he had been selected to compete in the U.S. Open sectional qualifier.
Rob Oppenheim, the 2009 Massachusetts Open champion and Andover native, was exempt from local qualifying due to his position in the top-500 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of March 5, the most recent ranking prior to entry close for the U.S. Open. Oppenheim, who lists his current residency out of Orlando, Fla, is currently on the Web.com Tour and comes off a 2017 season that saw him net two T2 finishes as well as a T5 spot in the Web.com Tour Championship.
The 10 competitors from the Bay State look to join fellow Massachusetts competitors Matt Parziale, the reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion from Brockton, and Peter Uihlein, originally from New Bedford, the 2010 U.S. Amateur champion, who recently learned of his exemption last week.
A look at the Massachusetts competitors in U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying fields.
Conducted by Metropolitan Golf Association
4 Qualifying Spots
Sean Gaudette (a) – South Hadley, Mass.
Andrew O’Leary (a) – Norfolk, Mass.
David Spitz (a) – Weymouth, Mass.
Steven Burak – North Easton, Mass.
Matt Naumec – Wilbraham, Mass.
Rob Oppenheim – Andover, Mass.
Eric Mabee – Pittsfield, Mass.
Conducted by Florida State Golf Association
Michael Welch – Quincy, Mass.
Conducted by Oregon Golf Association
Billy Walthouse – Longmeadow, Mass.
Conducted by Georgia State Golf Association
Josh Hillman – Williamstown, Mass.
Of the 10 Bay State competitors eyeing spots to the U.S. Open, Naumec will be making his third straight appearance at the Brook Country Club sectional qualifying site, while Spitz makes his second straight appearance.
Mass Golf will provide coverage for all 10 of its competitors in the field on Monday, June 4. For more information, visit MassGolf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PlayMassGolf. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MassGolf and #USOpen.
