GolfNewsRI

For the fourth straight year, Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln will play host to a U.S. Open Local Qualifier. 

The tournament will take place on Tuesday, May 13 with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m. off the first tee. 

For those interested in watching, the event is open to the public. 

Here is our guide to what is one of the most interesting days of the year: 

The Field, The Cut + More 

For the tournament, there are approximately 90 players competing for five spots in U.S. Open Final Qualifying and two alternates. 

(RI Tee Times Listed Below)

Remember, it is not top five and ties like in a lot of other events, it’s just the top five. 

So any ties for the final spot or two (or more) would be broken in a playoff, – or multiple playoffs. 

In each of the last three years in this qualifier at Kirkbrae, there has been some sort of playoff.

As far as projecting the cut, two years ago, the cut was three-under par, with four under claiming medalist honors. 

Last season, Bennett Masterson tied medalist honors at five-under, while Mike Caparco got in comfortably at four-under. 

Two-under par earned you a playoff for an alternate spot.

Obviously, every year is different, but this at least gives an idea of what the numbers could look like.

Once play gets underway, scoring can be found HERE

The Course 

According to the player information sheet, Kirkbrae will play from gold tees at about 6,700 yards. 

This is a similar distance to what it has played in the past for this event. 

During the offseason, Kirkbrae did some work around the second hole, creating a new run off area on the left side of the green (see picture). 

There has also been work done in the area between the second and third hole (left side of 2nd fairway, down the hill.) 

Over the offseason, the club has removed a handful of trees and is sodding the area. 

Previously, there was all rocks and ledge down there where you could end up with a tough second shot, and break your wrist at the same time. 

So far this season, that has been a drop for members as they don’t want people hitting out of there yet. 

GNRI is attempting to find out what the protocol will be on Tuesday. 

These guys are all playing from the way back tees on two and so that area does come into play. 

Spectators Guide to Kirkbrae

As stated above, the tournament is open to the public so anyone can come up to Kirkbrae and watch. 

The bar and restaurant are open and can be paid for in cash. 

If you are coming up to walk with specific group, go for it – tee times are listed below.  

As far as general spectating, there are a couple of fun areas to watch from. 

We will start at the clubhouse where you can see the first and tenth tees, the 18th green and a short stroll to the ninth green. 

I personally enjoy watching the tee shots on ten from the deck above, it’s a cool spot. 

Moving out onto the course, the best place to watch a lot of golf is the hill/grass area between the tenth hole, 16th green and 17th tee. 

You can essentially see three full holes without having to move. 

And if you are feeling so inclined, you walk down to the par-4, 4th hole and there is a roundabout area up near the green. 

Specatators can watch the fourth hole, fifth tee, the sixth green is a short walk behind you and the third green in front of you, down the path. 

That’s two par-5s, a par-3 and a par-4. 

Notable RI Tee Times 

All players are off the first tee. 

Complete tee sheet can be found HERE

7:39 a.m. – Sam Fuentes 

7:48 a.m. – Luke Stennett (URI)  

7:57 a.m. – Kevin Blaser, Jamie Lukowicz 

8:15 a.m. – Max Jackson, Drew MacLeod 

8:24 a.m. – Brendon Ray, Bobby Leopold 

8:33 a.m. – Cam Desante 

9:00 a.m. – Bennett Masterson 

9:09 a.m. – John Auclair, Brayden Dickinson 

9:18 a.m. – Nathan Kaufman 

9:36 a.m. – Nick Salvatore 

9:54 a.m. – Rocco Biafore, Matt Osman 

10:12 a.m. – Tyler Cooke

10:21a.m.  – Cael Kohan (Bryant) 

10:30 a.m. – Brian Hayes 

10:39 a.m. – Pat Healey  

10:57 a.m. – Joe Earley, Sebastian Tonkovich 

11:06 a.m. – Joe Tucker 

11:15 a.m. – Mike Caparco 

11:42 a.m. – Mike Hamilton, Austin Cilley 

12 p.m. – Dylan Gallagher (Bryant), Sebastian Carlsson 

12:09 p.m. – Tom McCormick 

12:18 p.m. – Bryson Richards (URI)