Henrik Simonsen, Director of Golf at The Honors Course, is hoping to earn a spot on Thursday into the U.S. Senior Open
photo by Tennessee PGA
A trio of professional golfers from Tennessee are among the 74 participants on Thursday in the last site of Final Qualifiers hoping to earn one of the nine slots awarded into the U.S. Senior Open.
Henrik Simonsen, the Director of Golf at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, is joined by 2003 PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel of Collierville and PGA TOUR winner Eric Axley of Knoxville are among the 74 golfers competing at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla. in the 18-hole qualifier.
The trio hopes to join Cliff Kresge of Knoxville at the USGA championship to be held at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colo. on June 26-29. Kresge, who won the Tennessee Senior State Open earlier this week, punched his ticket to the U.S. Senior Open by earning medalist honors on May 19th when he shot 3-under at the qualifier in Rockville, Md.
For live scoring and tee times, go to U.S. Senior Open qualifier.
Tennessee Entrants at Southern Junior Amateur
Three participants with Tennessee roots are tied for 7th after the first day of the 53rd Southern Junior Amateur Championship at Dataw Island Club in St. Helena Island, S.C.
Tucker Wick of Ooltewah, Jackson Whaley of Collierville and Brentwood’s Carter Graham all shot rounds of 3-under 69 in Wednesday’s opening round to stand two shots off the lead of 5-under.
Chattanooga’s Billy Boroughs and Franklin’s Braden Ray are tied for 12th at 2-under 70, while Brantley Moore of Memphis along with Micheal Shivers and Andrew Sciortino of Brentwood are another shot back at 1-under 71 to join those tied for 21st.
Cooper Solberg of Memphis and Jacob Rose of Knoxville are among a group tied for 35th at even par 72, while Walker Webb at Brentwood posted a 5-over 77.
After Thursday’s second round, the field will be cut to low 50 scores and ties to advance to Friday’s final round.
For live scoring and complete results, go to Southern Junior Results.
Three Earn Spots for U.S. Junior Amateur
Andrew Sciortino of Brentwood was medalist at 4-under 67 at the qualifier held May 28th at the Country Club of Birmingham to earn his way into next month’s U.S. Junior Amateur, joining a pair of fellow Tennessee golfers who previously punched their ticket.
Greyson Collard of Memphis and Drew Madigan of Collierville were part of a three-way tie for medalist honors at 4-under 68 to earn their spot at the qualifier in Cleveland, Miss. on May 22nd.
Will Pinson of Franklin is first alternate at the Birmingham site after shooting 1-under 70.
This year’s tournament will be staged at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas on July 21-26 with two rounds of stroke play determining the 64 golfers advancing into match play.
Wilson Starts Strong at Sunnehanna Amateur
Kaleb Wilson, a Knoxville native entering his senior year at West Virginia, is tied for 6th after the opening round of the prestigious 84th Sunnehanna Amateur in Johnstown, Pa.
Wilson is two shots off the lead after carding an opening round 3-under 67 on Wednesday, one shot ahead of Pennsylvania native and former University of Tennessee golfer Garrett Engle, who is tied for 15th after posting a 2-under 68.
Three University of Tennessee golfers are among the field of the event that is part of the Elite Amateur series. Christian Pardue of Arlington is tied for 29th at 1-under 69, Shelbyville’s Evan Woosley-Reed fired a 2-over 72 and Jackson Herrington of Dickson opened with a 5-over 75.
The field will be cut to low 60 scores and ties after Thursdays second round for the final 36 holes.
For live scoring and complete results, go to Sunnehanna results.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com