2017 Yearbook (2)

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1 Michael Wuertz (p) -2 70 Medalist
T2 Andrew O'Brien (a) E 72 Qualifier
T2 Michael Roters (p) E 72 Qualifier
4 Matthew Mickelson (p) +1 73 Qualifier
5 Trent Lindenman (a) +1 73 1st Alt
6 J.D. Anderson (a) +1 73 2nd Alt
7 Tanner Megal (p) +2 74
T8 Zachary Burry (a) +3 75
T8 Ben Wollam (p) +3 75
T8 Sean McCarty (p) +3 75
T8 Brian Fogt (p) +3 75
(p) denotes professional (a) denotes amateur
U.S. Open Local Qualifier
Spirit Hollow Golf Course - Burlington, IA
May 15, 2017
U.S. Open Local Qualifier U.S. Senior Open
Medalist, Michael Wuertz
Four Qualify for U.S. Open Sectional
Two Iowans Represent the State at
Salem Country Club
Jerry Smith rolling a putt on the
second hole of the third round. (AP
Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Mike McCoy, 54, participated in his fifth U.S. Senior Open at Salem Country Club in
Massachusetts in late June. Unfortunately, the West Des Moines insurance executive missed the
cut for just the second time (first was in his first appearance).
McCoy posted an opening round 79, which basically sealed his fate. But he did come back
strong in round two, shooting a 1-under-par 69. He missed the cut by seven strokes.
Oskaloosa native Jerry Smith fared much better. He opened with a 65 then went 69, 75, 70
to finish at 1-under-par 279 and in a tie for 23rd. The finish earned the professional $32,371.
Smith, 53, has qualified for the Senior Open every year he has been eligible and 2017 was his
best finish to date.
McCoy has also played in the U.S. Senior Open every year since turning 50. He made it through
qualifying to earn a spot his first year. The next year, due to his win at the U.S. Mid-Amateur in
the late summer of 2013, he received an exemption. He made the most of that, capturing low-
amateur honors, which earned him a spot in the 2015 field. He repeated that feat, again earning
low amateur status and an exemption into the 2016 field. In 2017 he was granted an exemption
due to his participation on the U.S. Walker Cup team in 2015.
Mike McCoy teeing off in a practice round
at Salem Country Club, in Peabody, Mass.
(USGA/Jeff Haynes)
Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington certainly provided a U.S. Open-like
test for the 64 competitors who teed it up at the local qualifier.
In the end, four players advanced to the sectional stage. Michael Wuertz, a
professional from Davenport, was the medalist with a two under-par 70. Next
was amateur Andrew O’Brien and professional Michael Roters, who fashioned
even-par 72. The fourth and final qualifying spot went to Lamoni’s Matt
Mickelson (pro), who won a three-way playoff after almost ending the playoff
on the first hole (#1) by hitting it to within inches for a tap-in birdie.
First and second alternates, who joined Mickelson in the playoff for the final qualifying spot, went
to Trent Lindenman (New Sharon) and J.D. Anderson (Johnston), respectively. Lindeman was
eliminated after Mickelson made birdie on the third playoff hole (both players pared the second
playoff hole, #18), while Anderson’s par on the first sent him back to the clubhouse.
Competitors faced a golf course that stretched over 7,300 yards with thick bluegrass rough, which
presented difficult recovery shots for those who didn’t find the fairway.
“It was tough out there,” Wuertz said of the
course. “I thought 70 was a safe number no
matter what and not have to worry at all. I am
glad I didn’t have to sweat it out. I was able to
get up-and-down most of the day when I did
miss a green. I even used the same ball all day
long.”
Links : Links : May 15, 2017 June 29-July 2, 2017
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