ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 18, 2012) - Two weeks, 477 golfers, and 72 holes later, the four MGA-conducted local qualifying rounds for the 112 U.S. Open Championship are officially in the books. All roads now head toward Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., for a chance to compete with the world’s best at the Olympic Club from June 11-17.

While the U.S. Open is primarily thought of as a showcase for professional stars, it is also open to amateurs with a Handicap Index of 1.4 or less. This year, Met Area amateurs stole the show at many of the qualifying sites. Of the 28 players who advanced to sectionals, 12 were amateurs, and amateurs either led or shared medalist honors at all four MGA-run qualifiers.   

Met Area local qualifying began at Long Island's Wheatley Hills Golf Club on May 7, where nearly half of the St. John’s University men’s golf team qualified. Three of the nine players who made it through to Canoe Brook are currently on the Red Storm roster: Ryan McCormick was medalist with a 68, followed closely by his teammates Dylan Crowley and Pat Wilson, both of whom shot 69.

Amateur Charles Cai, 17, expertly handled gusty conditions at Pine Barrens Golf Club in Jackson, N.J., on May 10 to share medalist honors. A number of well-known pros were in the field that day, and former PGA Tour winner Bill Britton and current Nationwide Tour pro Chris Nallen were able to advance after shooting 71s. Britton, 56 and the director of instruction at Trump National-Colts Neck, is the oldest player nationwide to make it through local qualifying. He has played in nine career U.S. Opens.

At rain-soaked Alpine Country Club on May 15, amateur Brian Whitman, 30, shot a 71 and was co-medalist with Mark McCormick, the head pro at Suburban Golf Club in Union, N.J., and the father of Wheatley Hills medalist Ryan. Two more talented amateurs John Yu and Brandon Park shot 73s to secure their spots in the sectional.

And finally, the weather cooperated for the last leg of MGA’s local qualifying at Trump National-Westchester on May 17. But it was more of the same story from the young guys. Twenty-year-old and reigning MGA Player of the Year Mike Miller and 15-year-old Cameron Young shared medalist honors with exceptional three-under 69s. If Young can make it through Canoe Brook and to the U.S. Open, he'll be the youngest player ever to do so by four months. Not far behind the young guns was Metropolis Country Club head pro and 2009 WGA Open winner Craig Thomas, who had a 71.

Two players who did not qualify but hold alternate positions for sectional qualifying include 2005 Carter Cup champion and former Oklahoma State All-America Morgan Hoffmann and 2010 NYS Open champ Keith Dicciani (WH). Other Met Area notables who didn't make it through to U.S. Open sectional qualifying include three-time NYS Open winner P.J. Cowan (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);  (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); three-time MGA winner David Pastore (TN); 2005 MGA Player of the Year John Stoltz (TN); 2003 Met Amateur winner Mike Stamberger (PB); and four-time NJSGA Section champ Frank Esposito Jr. (PB).

Full results are listed below:

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

Results | 144 entrants for nine spots

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

Results | 87 entrants for six spots

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

Results | 84 entrants for five spots

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

Results | 132 entrants for eight spots