PURCHASE, N.Y.-With the Buick Classic moved to mid-June, the field for the 2003 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying will have a distinct local flavor this year.  Seventy-two players, including many of the Met Area’s most accomplished professional and amateur competitors, will compete Tuesday, June 2nd at both Century and Old Oaks Country Clubs in Purchase, NY for one of four spots in the final field of the USGA’s premier event.  The 2003 U.S. Open is scheduled for June 12-15 at the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Heading the list of professionals are former Met Open champs Jim McGovern (1987) of Hackensack, NJ, a former PGA TOUR regular now playing the Nationwide Tour, Darrell Kestner of Deepdale (1982-83, 1995) looking to earn his ninth appearance in the Open, and Mark Brown of Tam O’Shanter (1999), recent winner of the Long Island PGA championship.  Former Connecticut Amateur champion, J.J. Henry, formerly of The Patterson Club, currently ranks 85th on the PGA Tour money list and will also be competing for a spot in the field along with former Tour player Scott Dunlap.

A strong line up of amateurs will be lead by reigning USGA Mid-Amateur champion George Zahringer, III from Deepdale, a nine time MGA Player of the Year fresh off his first appearance at the Masters, five-time and current MGA Player of the Year, Jerry Courville, Jr. of Shorehaven GC, and last year’s Met Amateur runner-up, 23 year-old Andrew Svoboda of Winged Foot GC, who led one of the local qualifying sites with 68 at Knollwood CC in Elmsford, NY.  Also in the field are Ray Floyd Jr., son of Open Champion Ray Floyd, and former Walker Cupper George “Buddy” Marucci.

The U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying is conducted by the Metropolitan Golf Association. It is open to the public, free of charge.

For more information contact Ryan McKenna or Gene Westmoreland of the MGA at (914) 347-GOLF