Kim and Hunter Ostrom
(Idaho Golf Association photo)

For Hunter Ostrom, there was no better way to spend Mother's Day than by putting his Mom on the bag.

With the help of his mother/caddie Kim, Ostrom, of Eagle, Idaho won the U.S. Open Local Qualifier on Sunday, shooting a 3-under-par 68 at BanBury Golf Course. He now advances to the Sectional Qualifier at Tacoma Golf & Country Club, where he will have a chance to make the U.S. Open field.

Playing in the final group of the day, the Ostroms got off to a red-hot start, with three birdies and an eagle in the first seven holes to reach five under. But the momentum was abruptly stopped, with a bogey on nine, a double on ten, and after a birdie on twelve, two more bogeys on thirteen and fourteen. A birdie on the fifteenth righted the ship, and with a sizeable crowd of spectators looking on, Ostrom was able to birdie the eighteenth to secure solo medalist honors by one stroke over Taylor Travis. There were two spots available in the qualifier, so Travis will also advance to sectionals.

For Ostrom, the Sectional Qualifier will be a stiff test--only a few amateurs across the country successfully qualify each year. And if he does make it all the way to Erin Hills, he may face an even tougher decision if he wants to continue to ride the parental karma.

The U.S. Open always ends on Father's Day.

About Hunter Ostrom: Freshman at the University of Notre Dame, and a two-time Idaho State High School Champion (2013, 2015). Two-time Idaho Junior America's Cup Team Member (2013, 2014). Became first junior player in 80 years to win the McCall Men's Amateur (2015). Top-5 in The Big I National Junior.