Wanted U.S. Open Spot More Than I Thought

You’d think I’d be fine not getting one of two spots at a U.S. Open sectional qualifier. The odds are not good. So, what’s the big deal?

The USGA received a record number of entries---9,086---the biggest since 2005. Golfers from 50 states, the District of Columbia and 71 foreign countries competed. It was a feat just making it through the local qualifying with only three spots open.

I had my hopes up going in to the last three holes as I was tracking well at -2. But, I probably got ahead of myself and the rest is history. Because I could see I might make it the way I was playing, missing a spot stung a bit more. You know, the “if onlys”….

Great experience though. Besides getting close, I’ll remember it as the day that Canadians grabbed the two spots---amateur whiz Nick Taylor and my buddy Andrew Parr. A good sign of better things to come for Canada at the PGA level.