ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 4, 2012) - The journey for hundreds of Met Area hopefuls with dreams of competing in the 112th U.S. Open Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., will begin Monday, May 7. Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston, N.Y., will host the first of four MGA-conducted local qualifying rounds, culminating with a 36-hole sectional qualifier at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., on Monday, June 4.

Over the next two weeks, a total of 447 professionals and amateurs with a Handicap Index of 1.4 or better will battle for a combined 28 spots (and one or two alternates per site) reserved for sectionals. Those who persevere and make it to Canoe Brook or one of the 12 other sectional qualifying rounds held across the U.S. will have their chance to compete with the world’s best players from June 11-17.

This will be the fifth U.S. Open held at The Olympic Club’s challenging Lake Course. Designed by Willie Watson and Sam Whtiting in 1924, the course will play as a par 70 of 7,170 yards and include a 670-yard par-5, the longest in Open history. USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said the first six holes will “absolutely be the toughest start to a U.S. Open,” and that he expects it to be a bullish test. 

Olympic has produced several unlikely Open winners and famous follies from the game’s greatest champions. In 1955, unknown Jack Fleck rallied in the final four holes to tie Ben Hogan, then defeated him in a Monday playoff; Arnold Palmer led by seven shots with nine to play, only to squander the lead and lose in a playoff to Billy Casper in ’66; Tom Watson couldn’t hold the lead on Sunday in ’87 and Scott Simpson wound up as the victor; and in ’98, the late Payne Stewart blew a four-shot final round lead to would-be champion Lee Janzen.

Notable players competing at Met Area local qualifying sites include: 2011 MGA/MetLife Public Links and 2008 Met Junior champion Anthony Aloi (WH); three-time NYS Open winner P.J. Cowan (WH), 2010 NYS Open champ Keith Dicciani (WH); 2009 U.S. Open participant Sean Farren (WH); 2000 Met Open winner Mike Gilmore (WH); four-time MGA major winner Bobby Heins (WH); two-time MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino (WH); 2011 Met Open winner Tyler Hall (A); former Oklahoma State All-America Morgan Hoffmann (A); 1991 Met Open and 1982 Ike champion Mike Diffley (TN); 2009 Met Open and 2005 Ike champion Andrew Giuliani (TN); 2006 Met Open winner John Guyton (TN); 1991 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year/ two-time MGA major champ Jim McGovern (TN); 2011 MGA Player of the Year Mike Miller (TN); three-time MGA winner David Pastore (TN); 2005 MGA Player of the Year John Stoltz (TN); 2004 Met PGA Player of the Year Craig Thomas (TN); 2003 Met Amateur winner Mike Stamberger (PB); former PGA Tour pro Bill Britton (PB); Nationwide Tour pro Chris Nallen (PB); and four-time NJSGA Section champ Frank Esposito Jr. (PB).

The local qualifying sites are as follows:

Monday, May 7: Wheatley Hills Golf Club, East Williston, N.Y.

Pairings | 144 entrants for nine spots

Thursday, May 10: Pine Barrens Golf Club, Jackson, N.J.

Pairings | 87 entrants for six spots

Tuesday, May 15: Alpine Country Club, Demarest, N.J.

Pairings | 84 entrants for five spots

Thursday, May 17: Trump National-Westchester, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

Pairings | 132 entrants for eight spots