Destination: Congressional CC

Four spots were on the line to advance to the sectional qualifier of the U.S. Open last Monday at Bunker Hills GC in Coon Rapids, MN. The 61 player field was full of hopes and aspirations of playing at Congressional CC in Maryland at the second major of the year next month. Once again, the typical spring elements in Minnesota came through as thunderstorms and lots of rainfall passed through during the night and into the morning. This caused tee times to be backed up 2 hours later than originally intended. When we finally teed off it was cool and breezy, but luckily enough we didn't have to deal with any more rain.

My round got off to a solid start with a good two putt par. A wayward drive at the second led to a bogey on one of the shorter holes. Nearly making birdie at the par-3 third, I knew I'd have a good opportunity to get back to even at the short par-5 fourth. Finding the fairway and having 5-iron in my hands I was able to get it just in front of the green, and make a good up and down for a birdie. After another solid chip to save par at five, another wayward drive cost me a stroke when I found the hazard. The par attempt from 10 feet just wouldn't fall, and I was back to +1 after six holes. Following routine pars at 7 & 8, I was left with a great birdie opportunity from 18 feet on nine. The putt was online the whole way but wiggled at the hole and rimmed the cup on a hard lip out. It was going to be a day where I would have to earn each shot as the ball just wasn't going to fall in anywhere but right in the middle of the cup.

Scrambling again to get up and down on number ten for par gave me some momentum as I headed into a stretch of holes where birdies could come in bunches. Splitting the fairway with a drive, and a 3-wood up near the green left me a chip and a putt away from getting back to level par. One of my better shots of the day lifted the ball high over the short side bunker and soft onto the green, leaving an easy four foot birdie putt. The next five holes would prove to be full of missed opportunities. On four of them I would have makeable birdie putts inside 15 feet. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any of them to fall as they either burned the edge or just didn't have the right speed. Sitting at even par for the day with two holes left, I figured -1 would give me a great chance to move on, or even a look at a playoff at Even par. A flared iron shot on 17 tested my chipping abilities yet again. The cushion I was looking for going into the last hole almost came on the very next shot as my chip sat on the edge of falling in for a birdie. I was happy with par on the difficult par-3 knowing 18 can yield some birdies if you can find the fairway. Doing just that, I had 131 yards to a tucked front right pin just over a bunker with the wind in my face. Taking dead aim, I caught the ball just a little thin causing it to spin and climb in the air, therefore coming up short of both the green and the bunker. My 60-degree wedge would be put to the test yet again to try and save par. I hit a great shot under the circumstances, leaving myself an 8-foot par putt for 72. I was confident in my reed, and put a good stroke on it, but the ball wouldn't take the brake as it skirted the edge of the hole on its way by. Devastated, and knowing I had probably missed my chance I tapped in for 73.

The scores continued to come in, and the more and more it looked like 72 would be a playoff. In the end, my 7th place finish would cause me to miss out on a 4 player for 2 qualifying spots playoff by 1 shot. Two years in a row now I've just missed out by 1 shot to move on to the next stage to qualify to play in the US Open. It's times like these that I have to take as learning experiences and opportunities to become a better player for the next chance that comes along. I'll continue to work hard and get better everyday until the next time I tee it up. Results like these only fuel my desire to get better and achieve greatness at the next level.

My next scheduled tournament is the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am at Southview CC. This takes place June 10th-12th in St. Paul, MN. Between now and then I am looking at playing in one additional event outside of Chicago next week. I will be sure to keep you all posted as I'll be firming up those plans in the next day or two.

That's all for now from "the tips", but until next time remember...."You're either getting better or getting worse, there's not such thing as remaining the same. You make the choice!"


Bryce