Georgia Southern Golfers Gain Invaluable Experience at U.S. Open Qualifier
6/5/2013 2:19:00 PM | Men's Golf
BALL GROUND, Ga. – Only three players from a field of 51 made it into the U.S. Open from the Sectional Qualifier at Hawks Ridge Golf Club Monday, and despite not being members of that trio, Georgia Southern sophomores Scott Wolfes and Matthew Mierzejewski shared an experience that will pay dividends down the road.
The pressure-packed day of 36 holes with a spot in the U.S. Open on the line tested their mettle and gave them some seasoning that will help both in their Georgia Southern careers and beyond.
Mierzejewski finished the day 2-over and Wolfes (right) wound up 3-over. Both Eagles made charges on their last 18 holes but could not get over the hump.
"Your final score doesn't reflect how well you played in a qualifier like this," said Wolfes. "You start going for everything because it's an all or nothing scenario."
After posting a 75 in his first round, Mierzejewski was 1-under through the first 12 holes of his second round before bogeying holes 13, 14 and 15. He birdied 17 and 18 to finish 1-under on his last 18.
"It was obviously disappointing not getting through; I just didn't put myself in a position to really take advantage and make more scoring opportunities," said Mierzejewski. "Especially playing in a qualifier of this caliber, playing average just won't get it done. However, I learned a lot about myself and wish I could play it again tomorrow because it was an experience I can use countless times in the future. It shows me that I'm not too far off as well."
Wolfes posted a 74 on his first 18 and was 3-under through the first six holes of his second round. He bogeyed hole 7 before tallying five straight pars, but a double bogey on 13 took him out of contention.
"I didn't play as aggressive as I think I should have to start, and then on the second 18, I was 3-under through five holes and missed a few eagle opportunities. Then I had a 3-putt and fell too far off the lead," said Wolfes. "It was a good experience for me, and I'm glad I made it that far. Hopefully, it won't be the last time I play in a sectional qualifier because next time, I'll have a better idea of how to approach it."
The duo reached this stage by advancing through local qualifying in May. Wolfes fired a 2-under 70 to earn co-medalist honors at the Sawgrass Country Club East/West Course. Mierzejewski posted a 2-under-par 70 to tie for second at Atlanta National Golf Club.
Michael Kim, who spent a majority of the college golf season as the top-ranked individual in the country at Cal, was 11-under to tie Ryan Nelson for first and advance to the U.S. Open. Grayson Murray shot 9-under to advance as well.
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