ALPINE, N.J.  (May 11, 2015) – Five players advanced through today’s U.S. Open Local Qualifying Round at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine, N.J.  Thomas Kalinowski of Scottsdale, Ariz., earned medalist honors after carding the low round of the day with a 2-under 68 which included four birdies. This won’t be the first time that Kalinowski advances to the Sectional Qualifying level – the former Web.com and Asian Tour player has attempted to qualify at six different sites around the country in the past.

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Brian Gaffney of Darien, Conn., the head professional at Quaker Ridge, fired a 1-under 69 to qualify. He played in the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club after advancing through Sectional Qualifying held at Canoe Brook.

Australian Steve Keogh also shot a 69 in his first attempt to qualify for a U.S. Open. Keogh, a new resident of Brooklyn, just moved to the U.S. in January and is a teaching professional at Chelsea Piers. This was just Keogh’s third full round of golf since October, and his first time at Montammy.

Playing in the penultimate group and finishing late in the afternoon, Paul Kaster of Red Bank, N.J., added another 69 to the leaderboard and grabbed a coveted qualifying spot.

Three players finished with scores of even par 70 to force a playoff for the final qualifying spot. Alex Beach of Paramus, N.J., and amateurs Trevor Randolph of Franklin Lakes, N.J., and Will Bernstein of New York, N.Y., headed back to the tenth tee to determine the final qualifier. Beach, an assistant professional at Ridgewood, finished as the second alternate after a bogey on the first playoff hole, but Randolph and Bernstein had to battle it out for two more holes for that final qualifying spot. On the third playoff hole, Randolph sealed the deal with a par to advance. He played in the first group out in the morning, and spent the afternoon at work before coming back to Montammy. Bernstein is the first alternate.

Montammy played to a par 70 at 6,641 yards for the starting field of 94 competitors.

Today was one of four Local Qualifying Rounds conducted by the MGA for the 2015 U.S. Open. Local qualifying continues on Wednesday, May 13 at Elmwood Country Club in White Plains, N.Y. The two remaining local qualifiers conducted by the MGA are both on Thursday, May 14, at Canoe Brook Country Club (North Course) in Summit, N.J., and at Bethpage State Park Golf Course (Red Course), in Farmingdale, N.Y.