Ricky Barnes (r.) is congratulated by his agent Dennis Blake, who caddied for him today.
Leading the pack of three qualifiers wasFrank Bensel, an assistant pro at the host course, who fired a three-under-par 68 in the second round to finish at two-under 140, and Geoffrey Sisk of Marshfield, Mass., who shot a five-under 30 on his back nine in the afternoon round to also finish at 140. One stroke behind them was 2002 U.S. Amateur champion and Nationwide Tour player Ricky Barnes of Scottsdale, Arizona. The three players advanced to the 107th U.S. Open Championship, to be held June 14-17 at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, Pa. The players will be joined by two-time Met Open winner Johnson Wagner, who qualified in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday.
Several dozen Century CC members followed Bensel over the last few holes, and he showed tremendous poise under the added spotlight. “It’s special, because I think I have a little bit of an advantage. Just the knowledge of where to hit it. It especially helps around the greens.” This is Bensel’s first time qualifying for the U.S. Open, though he did play in the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
The sectional qualifier began in a light drizzle Monday morning at 7:15, and as the wind and rain intensified, several holes on the 6,809-yard, par 71 course became unplayable. Play was suspended at 10:20 a.m. with less than half the field able to complete nine holes. Frequent downpours stretched the rain delay to 3 hours and 40 minutes, and play resumed at 2 o’clock, with the day’s lead twosomes completing their first rounds at 3:15 p.m.
The rain abated in the afternoon, and Century drained extremely well. Observed MGA Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland, “The weather was certainly worse than we expected, but all things considered I think the course held up beautifully. We were thrilled to complete the 36 holes of qualifying.”
Two players of local interest returned Tuesday morning to compete in a sudden-death playoff for the first alternate spot. Bob Rittberger, an assistant professional at Garden City Golf Club on Long Island (71-71 = 142), drained a 20-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to claim first alternate status over two-time (1996 and ’97) MGA/MetLife Public Links champion Paul Dickinson (72-70 = 142).
Earning low amateur honors was 2006 Met Amateur finalist Kevin Foley of Neshanic Valley, who finished at three-over 145 (72-73). Among other local notables was Fairview assistant pro Charles Meola, who also compiled a 145 total (73-72), and 2006 Met Open champion John Guyton of Trump-National Westchester, who finished at 150 (78-72).
