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U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying begins Monday, June 8 at Saticoy Country Club in Somis. The 36-hole event is filled with Southern California residents, and many collegiate players, lifelong amateurs and veteran pros will be fighting for their shot at the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in New York, which will be held June 18-21. Only the top-four finishers at Saticoy will move on, with two alternate spots. Here are a few names to keep an eye on (“a” denotes amateur). Josh Anderson (a): After barely missing out on last month’s NCAA Championships, Anderson should be all the more determined to qualify for his first Open. The Murrieta resident and incoming Pepperdine sophomore brings strong amateur experience to the field with two U.S. Amateur appearances under his belt and a victory at the 2007 California Amateur Championship. He was also named the 2007 SCGA Player of the Year. Michael Block: The PGA head professional at Mission Viejo’s Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club not only has the experience of playing in Open qualifiers, but actually competing in a U.S. Open. He may not have made the cut at the 2007 Open at Oakmont, but he did manage to beat the likes of Adam Scott and Colin Montgomerie. Ian Coffman (a): This San Diego native and USD graduate student is a jack of all trades. Playing golf and soccer all through high school and capturing four combined CIF Championships, Coffman just finished his second season of collegiate golf at USD after having played for the school’s men’s soccer team. With his level of athleticism and consistent improvement, there’s no telling how far he could go. Philip Francis (a): Francis, an incoming junior at UCLA, has been a consistent performer for the Bruins. He’s also had experience on the PGA Tour, having played in four events — one of which before he even started college. Most recently, he finished tied for 11th at the 2008 John Deere Classic with a seven-under-par total of 277. At the 2009 NCAA Regional Championships at Olde Stone Golf Course in Bowling Green, Ky. Francis finished tied for third. Matthew Giles (a): USC isn’t Giles’ only tie to Southern California. The sophomore also won the 2006 Callaway Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines South in San Diego. Giles had eight top-10 finishes this season, including five top-five finishes, and a scoring average of 71.35. So many "Shark" successors have come and gone, but this Australian may be the real deal. Tim Hogarth (a): By this time, Hogarth's name should be synonymous with "trifecta." He is the only player in history to have won the California State Amateur, the Southern California Amateur and the California Mid Amateur. In addition, he was victorious at the 1998 Southern California Public Links Championship and is a four-time Los Angeles City champion. Jamie Lovemark (a): Can you imagine winning an NCAA Championship as a freshman? USC junior Jaime Lovemark can. But winning the 2007 NCAAs was merely a jumping off point for Lovemark. The victory capped off one of the most stellar seasons in the history of Trojan golf, which included winning four events, being named the Pac-10 Player of the Year, a first-team All-American selection, and taking home the Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson awards. Harry Rudolph III (a): When looking back on the career of San Diego’s Harry Rudolph and thinking about his bid for Bethpage, the one word that comes to mind is "sleeper." After a promising career at Arizona, all the while battling with long-time friend and nemesis Phil Mickelson, Rudolph thought a career in the pros was next. His failed professional attempt led to a complete competitive hiatus — but his two-under 70 at the local qualifier at San Diego Country Club has him back in the local spotlight once again. Brian Smock: The Fresno State alum and Coronado transplant earned nearly $90,000 in 2008 on the Nationwide Tour and over $200,000 since his pro debut in 1994. He's 93rd on the 2009 Nationwide money list and has two top-25 finishes in eight events. Smock missed qualifying for the 2006 Open by a mere two shots. His experience and desire for another shot at the Open is sure to bring out the bulldog in this journeyman player. Duffy Waldorf: This UCLA grad and Northridge resident is one of the most familiar names in the field. A long time PGA touring pro, Waldorf has earned over $11 million in his pro career, snatching up 141 top-25 finishes and four victories. But like so many others have found, keeping success is often more difficult than finding it. With a contagious positive attitude and the support of his family, Waldorf will look to make his first PGA Tour event of the U.S. Open. Charlie Wi: In 2009, Wi has played in 13 PGA Tour events, missing only three cuts and making over $1.1 million. The North Hills resident and four-year Tour veteran has played in only one major championship, the 2008 PGA Championship. He made the most of that appearance, earning a top-10 finish on a difficult Oakland Hills layout. His desire to get back to the majors, paired with his almost staggering consistency, should make him quite the Goliath to the qualifier’s more David-oriented field. Jeff Wilson (a): Wilson, originally from Fairfield, Calif. was the low amateur at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and made it to the semis of the Mid-Amateur that same year. After moving to the Palm Desert area he was victorious in only his second SCGA event, the 2008 Mid-Amateur, and recently won the Santa Barbara City Championship. Chris Zambri: The third Man of Troy on this list is third year Head Men's Golf Coach Chris Zambri. Zambri is a Trojan alum himself as well as a six-year Nationwide Tour player. He also competed in the 1995 and 1999 U.S. Opens. For results from the Saticoy sectional, check back Tuesday to Southland Golf. |
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