HAWORTH, N.J. (May 18, 2009) – Eugene Smith of Glen Ridge, N.J., fired a two-under-par 68 to claim medalist honors and lead the field of 60 players during U.S. Open Championship local qualifying held Monday, May 18 at Haworth Country Club in Haworth, N.J. All qualifiers advance to sectional qualifying, the last stage before the 2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black.

Rumson Country Club head professional Brian Gaffney of Monmouth Beach, N.J., the 2008 NJPGA Charity Classic champion, and Michael Brice of Tullahoma, Tenn., both carded rounds of even-par 70 to advance to sectional qualifying. Former Met Open champion John Stoltz of Roscoe, N.Y., finished with a one-over-par 71 and beat amateur Kevin Foley of Somerville, N.J., the 2008 Ike champion, in a playoff to capture the last qualifying spot. Foley will be the first alternate, while PGA Tour member Jim McGovern of Oradell, N.J., will be the second alternate after beating amateur Michael Price of Basking Ridge, N.J., in a playoff.

Today’s event was the fourth of five U.S. Open Local Qualifying Rounds conducted by the Metropolitan Golf Association. The event is open to both professional and amateur golfers with a USGA Handicap Index of 1.4 or better. Today’s qualifiers advance to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, scheduled for Monday, June 8, at Century Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club, both in Purchase, N.Y. Sectional qualifying is the final stage before the 109th U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, N.Y., on June 18-21.

Final Results