Darien, May 15, 2012 – A wet, but immaculately manicured Country Club of Darien played host to U.S. Open local qualifying on Monday, May 15. Six places and two alternate spots were up for grabs, as one hundred players hoping to advance to the sectional round faced a steady rain over the 6,703 yard, par 71 course. The field included professionals, and amateurs with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4.
Frank Bensel (Jupiter, FL) won medalist honors with a 1-under par 70. Cory Muller (Darien, CT), Joseph Christianson (Manhasset, NY), Gregory Bisconti (South Salem, NY), and Rob Labritz (Pound Ridge, NY) all shot 71 to advance to the sectional round. Matt Doyle (Jupiter, FL), after shooting 72, claimed the final qualifying spot by birdieing the fifth playoff hole as darkness fell. Jason Caron (Greenwich, CT) and Matt Noel (Norwalk, CT) also shot 72, and became first and second alternates after the playoff.
Bensel, winner of the CSGA State Open in 2009 and 2011 was a model of consistency with fifteen pars, two birdies and one bogey. Bensel began his round with eight straight pars before birdieing the 9th hole, and finished his day with a birdie at the par-5 18th. His lone bogey came at the 441 yard, par 4 12th hole.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, players throughout the day praised Darien Country Club superintendent, Tim O’Neill, and his staff for providing exceptional fairways and greens surfaces for the qualifier.
Players advancing from Monday’s local will compete at one of eleven sectional qualifying sites on June 4. Qualifiers at the 36-hole sectionals, along with previously exempt players will make up the field for the 112th U.S. Open to be played at The Olympic Club in San Francisco June 14-17.
Upcoming events on the CSGA calendar include a One-Day tournament on May 21 at Alling Memorial Golf Club, and the Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by Johnson Brunetti on May 21, 22 at the Country Club of Waterbury. The 54-hole Palmer Cup determines the state stroke play champion.
