VIDEO: U.S. Open Qualifier, and NHL Referee Garrett Rank

June 8, 2018 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com

Garrett Rank will be the talk of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock (AGC video screenshot)

We got one of the first interviews with NHL referee Garrett Rank, sure to be a media darling next week at Shinneock Hills

ATLANTA, Georgia (June 8, 2018) -- Garrett Rank has a job that keeps him in shape, dodging pucks, and making rulings as an NHL referee. And while hockey insiders (and certainly NHL players) know him, over the past few years Rank has been making a name for himself during the warmer months, as the world's top Mid-Amateur player in the AmateurGolf.com rankings.

The likable 30-year-old has played golf on television, advancing to the semi-finals of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with partner Patrick Christovich when that event was televised. He's won the Canadian Mid-Amateur -- with an under-par score that resembled something off the Web.com Tour. Rank also qualified for the 2017 U.S. Amateur last year at Riviera (advancing to match play before bowing out earlier than he would have liked).

But on Monday at Atlanta's Ansley Golf Club, he recorded what puts him on a very short list (assuming someone else has done it) by qualifiying for the U.S. Open. And rather than withdraw from the Dogwood, where tournament director Ed Toledano got him in the field at the last minute, Rank played, and spoke to us about what it feels like to record the biggest achievement of his golf career.

Don't bet against Garrett Rank making a strong showing at Shinnecock, where we can now have a contest for which of the 19 amateurs finishes lowest, and which of the 3 Mid-Ams goes the furthest.

About the U.S. Open Golf Championship

VIDEO: U.S. Open Qualifier, and NHL Referee Garrett Rank

The U.S. Open is the biggest of the 15 national championships conducted by the USGA. Open to amateurs and professionals. Amateurs gain entry via USGA win or runner-up finishes while having the opportunity to qualify alongside non-exempt professionals...

Most Popular Articles

Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National

Apr 8, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta

Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years

Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years

U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock

Apr 8, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.

Masters 2026: Amateur Tracker Ends at Augusta as Rory McIlroy Surges Into the Lead

Apr 10, 2026All six amateurs missed the cut at the 2026 Masters, where Rory McIlroy seized control at 12-under and a dramatic Friday

2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur: Full Field Preview, Favorites & How to Watch

Mar 30, 202648 of the top 50 players in the world. Two past champions. One teenager who lost by a single stroke last year.

Filters

Related Tournament

U.S. Open Golf Championship

View Details

Loading latest news...

Loading article...