Bisconti Among Players to Advance at U.S. Open Local Qualifier
HARRISON, N.Y. (May 13, 2013) – Accomplished Met Area professional Greg Bisconti of South Salem, N.Y., was one of three pros to shoot a 2-under 69 this afternoon to lead the field at the U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, N.Y. Mark Ledom of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Brian Bartow of Rye, N.Y., matched Bisconti in windy and chilly playing conditions and will advance to the Sectional Qualifier on June 3 at Old Oaks Country Club and Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.
A total of 130 players competed for only eight spots (plus two alternates) on the par-71 Westchester County private course. Bisconti, who won the 2011 Westchester Open and Met PGA Championship, played a steady round, firing 1-under on each nine.
Anthony Casalino of Yonkers, N.Y., an assistant professional at Willow Ridge, came in with a 1-under 71, as did MGA Carey Cupper (a) Max Buckley of Rye, N.Y., to also punch their tickets to Sectionals. Jesse Fitzgerald of Holbrook, N.Y., was the lone player to advance by shooting a 1-over 72.
Seven players came in with 73s, including Jeremy Quinn of Lafayette, N.J., Mike Caporale of Manhasset, N.Y., Steve Scott of Highland Mills, N.Y., Brian Hughes of Raleigh, N.C., Mark Mielke of East Norwich, N.Y., Larry Rupp of Walden, N.Y., and Mike Diffley of Pelham Manor, N.Y., and had to playoff for the final two spots and two alternate positions. Quinn birdied the third playoff hole in near complete darkness to secure a spot, while Caporale edged Hughes and Scott in an early Tuesday showdown to gain the last spot in Sectionals. Scott will be the first alternate and Hughes will be the second alternate.