From left – Jeffrey Schmid, Gene Elliott and Judd Gibb.

Three Iowans are set to compete in the 42nd U.S. Senior Open conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This prestigious championship is scheduled for June 23-26 and will be played at Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course in Bethlehem, Pa. 

Judd Gibb (right), of Fort Dodge, earned his spot into the championship with a one-over round of 73 at Dellwood Country Club, located in Minnesota. Gibb earned medalist honors and a place in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open. 

Mikkel Reese, of Okoboji, was the first alternate out of the Dellwood Country Club qualifier. Reese carded a 74 and finished second in the three-person playoff to decide the second qualifier.

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, was one of 77 exempt players after claiming the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship title last summer. Currently ranked as the No. 1 Senior Amateur in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), Elliott is no push over when it comes to the bright lights of USGA Championships. Elliott has competed in 36 total USGA events and recently won the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Detroit.  

Jeffrey Schmid, of Iowa City, punched his ticket to the U.S. Senior Open with a one-under round of 71 at the Mayetta, Kan. qualifier, held at Firekeeper Golf Course. Schmid finished as the runner-up by one shot and took the last remaining spot out of that qualifier. 

Ned Zachar, originally from Cedar Rapids, qualified earlier in May by grabbing one of the four spots at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, NY, shooting 68.

You can follow the Iowans and many legendary golfers as they compete to find out who will be crowned the 42nd U.S. Senior Open Champion on Sunday, June 26. Good luck to our fellow Iowan competitors.