U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Kirkbrae – What to Know
For the second year in a row, the U.S. Open Local Qualifier returns to Kirkbrae Country Club.
This year’s qualifier takes place on Tuesday, May 16 with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.
It is open to the public.
Here are a slew of things to know heading into the day:
Tournament Information
Starting early in the morning, approximately 84 players will be competing for five spots in the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying.
There will also be two alternate spots.
During the qualifier last year at Kirkbrae, three-under took medalist honors under brutal wind conditions.
Conditions are expected to be much better this year and so someone could go low on Tuesday.
GolfNewsRI talked with several players in advance of the qualifier and score projections were anywhere from three-four under winning to one-or two under getting through.
Of course, with so many players, the chances for a playoff of some sort are high.
Last year, there was a three-for-two playoff for the alternate spot.
The Field
Obviously, there are a ton of Rhode Islanders in the field, including six Kirkbrae members.
Some notable players include:
Tom McCormick – Former RI Amateur Champ, made it to sectionals last year.
John Auclair – 13 time Kirkbrae Club Champion
Jack Woods & Ty Dupuis – Bryant University Golf Stars
Bryson Richards – URI Golf Star
Bobby Leopold – 3-Time RI Amateur Champ, won 2021 Am at Kirkbrae
Joe Earley – La Salle Academy star
Sebastian Carlsson – URI Commit, Narragansett High School Star
Mike Hamilton – Defending RI Stroke Play Champ, Defending Kirkbrae Club Champ
Austin Cilley – Expand Your Brand Pod Host
Jamie Lukowicz – 2020 RI Amateur Champ
Brendon Ray – PGA Pro at Point Judith
Connor Willett – Became national story after winning Mass Amateur five days after dad passed away
The Course
The tournament page says Kirkbrae will play 6,700 yards on Tuesday, but our guess is it will play closer to 7,000.
This past offseason, Kirkbrae rebuilt the 17th green and the new green is open and ready to be played.
The par-3 can be stretched to well over 200 yards from the tips and the toughest pin placement is right over the bunker on the right side of the green.
With that said, the green is huge and there are any number of spots they put the flag.
It will be interesting to see how it is set up and how these guys play it.
The best place to watch from, if you are trying to see lots of action, is the area between the 10th hole, 16th hole and 17th tee.
Also, hanging around near the clubhouse never hurts either as you can easily see the first tee, tenth tee, a short walk to 9th green and 18th green.