DALLAS, Texas - Gonzaga men's golfer, Sean Walsh, finished a sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open at two-over-par (142) and tied for 36th. The two rounds were played at the Northwood Club Monday.
Walsh was one of 23 amateurs in the 87-participant field. He shot a 69 (-1) in the second round, after a 73 (+3) in the opening round.
"The experience was just phenomenal," Walsh said. "Playing with a great player like Matias (Dominguez) who played in the Masters this year, playing alongside other PGA and Web.com guys, it was a phenomenal time. I wish I could've played better, but unfortunately it just wasn't my day."
Walsh made 15 pars, along with a pair of birdies, in Round 2. He finished one-under (71) in the local qualifier in Walla Walla, Wash., on May 12.
"To put up a couple decent numbers that were just as good as some of the tour players in the field, when I didn't have my best game, helps me realize that I can play with these guys, and that all the hard work I'm putting in is paying off," Walsh said.
The sectionals are where the road to the U.S. Open begins for the vast majority of the professionals and amateurs with a Handicap Index of 1.4 or less who apply to play in the championship. As they do every year, a handful of entrants navigated both local and sectional qualifying to earn spots in the 156-player field. The qualifying process gives everyone with a dream a chance to play in the national championship.
Mark Silvers was the top finisher in Dallas at nine-under (131). Amateur Cole Hammer placed second at eight-under. Matt Mabrey (amateur), Kyle Jones (amateur), Cody Gribble, and Jason Allred all advanced at six-under.
Northwood Club was one of 10 courses across the country that hosted a sectional qualifier Monday. The course, which opened in 1946, was originally designed by William H. Diddel, but in 1990 it underwent a renovation under the direction of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Six years after its opening, the club hosted the U.S. Open, won by Julius Boros. It is one of three Texas clubs to have conducted a U.S. Open, joining Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth (1941) and Champions Golf Club in Houston (1969).
The U.S. Open begins June 18, at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
