2018 U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying Roundup
8/10/2018 | by Chris Brauner of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Wellesley Country Club

Qualifying is complete at 50 sites around the U.S.; see who has made it to Eugene CC for the 64th U.S. Senior Championship
The USGA accepted 2,381 entries for the 64th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, scheduled for August 25-30, 2018 at Eugene (ore.) Country Club.
Players exempt from qualifying include the defending champion Sean Knapp, who won last year's championship at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, MN.
Stewart "Buddy" Alexander (1986 U.S. Amateur champion)
Tom Brandes (2015 U.S. Senior Amateur runner-up)
Kevin Cahill (2016 U.S. Senior Amateur semifinalist)
Gene Elliott (2017 Canadian Amateur champion)
Vinny Giles (2009 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
Doug Hanzel (2013 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
Tim Jackson (2016 U.S. Senior Amateur semifinalist)
Sean Knapp (2017 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
Ken Lee (2017 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist)
Chip Lutz (2015 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
George "Buddy" Marucci (2008 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
Michael McCoy (2015 USA Walker Cup competitor)
David Nocar (2017 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist)
John Pierce (2017 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist)
Dave Ryan (2016 U.S. Senior Amateur champion; 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur semifinalist)
Paul Simson (2010 and 2012 U.S. Senior Amateur champion; 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur runner-up)
Matthew Sughrue (2016 U.S. Senior Amateur runner-up; 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist)
Patrick Tallent (2014 U.S. Senior Amateur champion)
Frank Vana (2017 U.S. Senior Amateur semifinalist)
Guy Yamamoto (1994 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion)
Robert Funk (Completed 72 holes in 2018 U.S. Senior Open)
Jeff Wilson (Completed 72 holes in 2018 U.S. Senior Open)
Highlights from qualfiying include:
July 16
Mike Booker
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Qualifiers: Mike Booker (Houston, TX) 71, Mark Caplow (Los Angeles, CA) 72, Jim Plotkin (Carlsbad, CA) 72, Michael Rowley (San Luis Obispo, CA) 72, Rick Talt (Laguna Beach, CA) 72
July 19
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Claud Cooper
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Qualifiers: Claud Cooper (Birmingham, AL) 69, Richard Jeffers (Mobile, AL) 69, Wright Waddell (Columbus, GA) 69
July 23
Falcon Crest GC in Kuna, ID
Qualifier: Craig Hurlbert (Rollins, MT) 70
The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, OK
Qualifier: Andrew Lucas (Tulsa, OK) 73
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Greg Condon
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Qualifier: Greg Condon (Monte Vista, CO) 69
Former PGA Tour player and reinstated amateur Brian Tennyson (Fernandina Beach, FL) shot 69 at The Amelia Island Club in Amelia Island, FL to share medalist honors with 2016 U.S. Senior Open participant John Lobb (Magnolia, KY).
Qualifiers: John Lobb (Magnolia, KY) 69, Brian Tennyson (Fernandina Beach, FL) 69
July 24
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Mark Coward
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Chris Hartenstein
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Qualifiers: Mark Coward (Paradise Valley, AZ) 70, John Hull (Sheridan, WY) 70, Chris Hartenstein (Austin, TX) 71, Dirk Maust (Phoenix, AZ) 72
Qualifiers: Don Eklund (San Diego, CA) 69, Scott Sullivan (Grand Junction, CO) 71, Guy Mertz (Longmont, CO) 72
July 25
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Ned Zachar
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Qualifiers: Ned Zachar (Bedford, NY) 72, Jim Hamburger (Clinton Corners, NY) 72, Dennis Lynch (Smithtown, NY) 74
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Jerry Rose
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Qualifiers: Jerry Rose (Sarasota, FL), 72, John Anderson (Andover, MN) 73, Kevin Culligan (Mendota Heights, MN) 74
Kenwood Country Club in Cincinnati, OH
Qualifiers: Ron Eubel (Dayton, OH) 70, Mitch Wilson (Kalamazoo, MI) 71
July 26
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Russ Perry
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Walter Todd
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Qualifiers: Russ Perry (Winston-Salem, NC) 69, John Rudolph (Charlotte, NC) 70, Gary Robinson (Fayetteville, NC) 71, Walter Todd (Laurens, SC) 71
Buckhorn Springs G&CC in Valrico, FL
Qualifiers: Bart Dornier (Metairie, LA) 72, Bob Levy (Windermere, FL) 72, Richard Kerper (Oldsmar, FL) 73
The Elkridge Club in Baltimore, MD received 15 inches of rain in the week before the qualifier, washing out the bunkers twice and forcing the maintenance crew to work overtime to get the course playable. Tom Winegardner (Lothian, MD) birdied the final two holes for a 1-under 70 to medal by one shot. Lee Flemister (Rockville, MD) and Buddy Patch (Fairfax Station, VA) made it through a 3-for-2 playoff, going par-par over two extra holes to advance.
Qualifiers: Tom Winegardner (Lothian, MD) 70, Mike McCarthy (Bethesda, MD) 71, Lee Flemister (Rockville, MD) 72, Buddy Patch (Fairfax Station, VA) 72
July 27
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James Volpenhein
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Qualifier: James Volpenhein (Union, KY) 73
July 30
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Mark Du Pont
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Qualifiers: Mark DuPont (Tustin, CA) 72, Bryan Lynn (Bakersfield, CA) 73, Jeff Burda (Modesto, CA) 73
54-year-old David Blichar (Allentown, PA) is eligible for the U.S. Senior because he turns 55 before the start of the championship. At Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, NJ, Blichar shot a 1-under 71 to earn medalist honors. Edward Armagost (Jupiter, FL), a caddy at Pine Valley and Seminole, shot 72 to advance to the championship.
“I haven’t done anything in 12 years. It’s fun to get the juices going, so to speak,” Armagost told the Golf Association of Philadelpha. “I worked three years on the PGA TOUR for a buddy of mine (Mark Calcavecchia). He said, ‘You’re going to hate golf,’ and I did. Then I was working at Seminole (Golf Club) down in Jupiter and I just stopped playing.”
Qualifiers: David Blichar (Allentown, PA) 71, Edward Armagost (Jupiter, FL) 72, James Dunne (New York, NY) 73, David West (Exton, PA) 73.
Pine Forest GC in Houston, TX
Qualifiers: Hunter Nelson (Houston, TX) 71, Thomas Immenschuh (San Antonio, TX) 73, Samuel Pierce (Houston, TX) 74, Kent Samuel (The Woodlands, TX) 74
Joe Palmer
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Qualifier: Joe Palmer (W. Des Moines, IA) 71
CC of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD
Qualifier: Kent Spriggs (Fargo, ND) 74
Jim McNelis (Gig Harbor, WA) shot a 1-under 71 at Tacoma (Wash.) Country & Golf Club to medal by two shots, but the battle was for the fourth and final spot. Five golfers played off for the spot, with Jerry Close (Moses Lake, WA) ultimately prevailing.
Congratulations to medalist 🏅 Jim McNelis (Gig Harbor), Brad Douglas (Redmond), Keith Norris (Redmond), and Jerry Close (Moses Lake) on qualifying for the #USSeniorAm after today's @USGA Qualifier at Tacoma C&GC. https://t.co/JQgAfAPLbd
— Washington State Golf Association (WSGA) (@theWSGA) July 31, 2018
The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, IN
Qualifiers: John Fisher (Collierville, TN) 73, Mike Cline (Carmel, IN) 75
Logan Country Club in Logan, UT
Qualifiers: Steven Borget (Heber City, UT) 68, John Schaller (Scottsdale, AZ) 71
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Pat O'Donnell
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Scott Hval
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Qualifiers: Pat O'Donnell (Happy Valley, OR) 71, Larry Watts (Springfield, OR) 71, Bradley Karns (Vancouver, WA) 73, Scott Hval (Portland, OR) 73, Johnny Coppedge (Canby, OR) 75.
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James Camaione
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Craig Davis
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Qualifiers: James Camaione (Upland, CA) 70, Mark Nickeas (Westlake Village, CA) 70, John Pate (Santa Barbara, CA) 71, Patrick Carrigan (Walnut, CA) 71, Craig Davis (Chula Vista, CA) 72
Qualifier: Clive Kegel (Lahaina, HI) 73
July 31
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William Hadden
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John Lombardozzi
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Qualifiers: William Hadden (Manchester, VT) 73, John Lombardozzi (Herndon, VA) 73
Dennis Smith
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Qualifier: Dennis Smith (Lafayette, LA) 66
August 1
Allendale Country Club in North Dartmouth, MA
Qualifiers: Kevin Carey (Hyannis, MA) 70, Joseph Walker II (Dennis, MA) 73, John McNeill (Stow, MA) 73, Stephen Camara (Boxford, MA) 74
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Bill Barnes
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Qualifiers: Bill Barnes (Bonita Springs, FL) 72, Thomas Destefani (Western Springs, IL) 72, Philip Saville (Chicago, IL) 73, Steven Jacobs (Highland Park, IL) 73, Donald Langland (Cary, IL) 73
Montour Heights Country Club in Coraopolis, PA
Qualifier: Michael Courtad (Morgan, PA) 76
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John Turk
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Qualifier: John R. Turk (Las Vegas, NV) 73
Weston Hills Country Club in Weston, FL
Qualifiers: William Hardaker (Atlantic Beach, FL) 71, Jeff Kaufman (Tampa, FL) 71
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Jeff New
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John Grace
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Qualifiers: Jeff New (Scottsdale, AZ) 70, John Grace (Fort Worth, TX) 71, Chuck Palmer (Dallas, TX) 72, Jim Quinn (Dallas, TX) 73, Steven Johnson 73
August 2
The Grove in College Grove, TN
Qualifiers: Mike Albonetti (Memphis, TN) 72, Buzz Fly (Memphis, TN) 72, Jeff Walker (Springfield, TN) 73
Crestview Country Club in Wichita, KS
Qualifiers: Tracy Chamberlin (Wichita, KS) 71, Tom Nielsen (Edmond, OK) 72
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Jeff Harper
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Qualifier: Jeff Harper (Coolville, WV) 69
Midvale Country Club in Rochester, NY
Qualifier: John Bufalini (Watertown, NY) 73
At Oberlin GC in Oberlin, OH, Albert Baumann (Fremont, OH) shot a 4-under 68 to medal by four shots. A four-way playoff was held to determine the final two qualifying spots, with Tom Jereb (Concord, OH) clinching his spot on the second extra hole, and former #1-ranked senior Paul Schlachter (Bridgeville, PA) getting his on third extra hole.
Qualifiers: Albert Baumann (Fremont, OH) 68, Tom Jereb (Concord, OH) 72, Paul Schlachter (Bridgeville, PA) 72
August 3
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Rand Mendez
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Qualifier: Rand Mendez (Wilmington, DE) 70
August 6
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Bob Royak
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Qualifiers: Bob Royak (Alpharetta, GA) 66, Steve Golliher (Knoxville, TN) 67, Louis Brown (Marietta, GA) 67, Jack Larkin (Atlanta, GA) 68
Ballwin Golf Club in St. Louis, MO
Qualifiers: Tim Barry (Parkville, MO) 71, Joseph Malench (Edwardsville, IL) 73
Redhawk Golf and Resort in Sparks, NV
Qualifier: Lloyd Fisher (Dade City, FL) 69
August 7
Jay Blumenfeld
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Qualifiers: Ronald Vannelli (Edison, NJ) 69, Roland Morris, Jr. (Greenwich, CT) 70, Jay Sessa (Garden City, NY) 70, Jay Blumenfeld (Parsippany, NJ) 71, Paul Manore (Bedminster, NJ) 72
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Bill Zylstra
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Qualifiers: Bill Zylstra (Dearborn Heights, MI) 70, Kerry Buettner (Grandville, MI) 70, Todd Hoag (Grand Rapids, MI) 71
August 8
Bill Byrne (Natchez, MS) parred the first playoff hole to take the only qualifying spot after shooting 73 at the Country Club of Oxford (Miss.).
Qualifier: Bill Byrne (Natchez, MS) 73
August 9
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Danny Nelson
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Qualifiers: Danny Nelson (Savannah, GA) 68, John Skeadas (Savannah, GA) 71, Tom Case (Fort Myers, FL) 72, Chris Culler (Camden, SC) 74
In a qualifier that began on Wednesday and had to be finished Thursday because of weather delays, Tom Madden (Memphis, TN) shot a 71 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, AR to take the only available qualifying spot.
“I’d keep playing, I don’t think the heavy stuff is going to come down for quite a while!” @JudgeSmailsGolf @USGA Mid Am/Senior Am Qualifying at Pleasant Valley...@ASGAgolf @carymaddox @ccollinspga @sullivangolf @regolfgirljane @RandalPReed1 pic.twitter.com/j034ducTgJ
— Jay Fox (@JFoxtales) August 8, 2018
Meadowbrook Country Club in Racine, WI
Qualifiers: Terry Werner (Dyer, IN) 70, Robert Gregorski (Appleton, WI) 71, Jay Dempsey (Glencoe, IL) 72
August 10
David Oas traveled from Carlsbad, CA to Omaha, NE and took the only qualifying spot (and, as this was the last qualifer of the season, the last qualifying spot into the tournament), shooting an even-par 71 at the Happy Hollow Club to medal by three shots.
David Oas of Carlsbad, California earned a trip to the 2018 #ussenioram at Eugene Country Club in Oregon today. Oas put together a round of 71 (E). We talked to him about his round and what’s ahead! pic.twitter.com/KEXONSIJlI
— #NebGolf (@NGAgolf) August 10, 2018
Qualifier: David Oas (Carlsbad, CA) 71
What's Next
The field of 156 players will play 36 holes of stroke play qualifying at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, OR on Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26, 2018. The low 64 players will then advance to single-elimination match play until the champion is decided on Thursday morning, August 30.
About the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying

The U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier is open to all competitors with an index of 5.4 or lower who will be at least 55 years of age at the start of the championship. The format is 18 holes of stroke play, with qualifying sites scattered across the countr...
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