Road to Pebble Beach: U.S. Open Qualifying

TAMPA, Fla. - Between April 29 and May 13, thousands of golfers are beginning a journey that they hope will lead to a spot in the 119th U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach. This year, there are 110 local qualifying rounds held across the U.S. and Canada, with 14 held in Florida. In total, 8,602 players are vying for one of 500 spots in sectional qualifying. 

CC of Winter Haven - May 1

Jim Renner, of Plainville, Mass. - Medalist
Renner captured medalist honors at the Country Club of Winter Haven with a 5-under 67. The Massachusetts native is a graduate of Johns & Wales University. Renner finished runner-up at the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and is currently competing on the Web.com Tour. He is attempting to qualify for his first U.S. Open since 2014.

Grant Renegar, of McComb, Miss.
Renegar fired a 4-under 68 to advance to sectional qualifying. A 2018 Florida Gulf Coast University graduate, Renner captured two tournament wins with the Eagles and held the eighth-lowest in program history at the time of his graduation. Prior to FGCU, he attended Meridian Community College, where he was a NJCAA Division II PING All-American Second Team member. 

Roberto Rodriguez Cacho, of Mexico
Cacho carded a 3-under 69 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. He played his collegiate golf at Barry University in Miami and has competed on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. 

Albin Bergstrom (a), of Sweden
Bergstrom posted a 3-under 69 in Winter Haven to advance to sectional qualifying. A freshman at the University of South Florida, Bergstrom was named the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and has captured six top-10 finishes with the Bulls. Bergstrom, who is currently ranked 65th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, was a member of Swedens's Junior National Team. 

Spence Fulford, of Rocky Mount, N.C.
Fulford carded a 2-under 70 and grabbed the last qualifying spot at the CC of Winter Haven in a playoff. The North Carolina native played his collegiate golf at Georgia Southern University and currently plays on the West Florida Golf Tour. 

Mission Inn (El Campeón) - May 2

Peter Campbell, of Canada - Medalist
Campbell secured medalist honors at Mission Inn with a 4-under 68. He played collegiate golf at Southern Wesleyan University and currently plays on the PGA Tour China. Campbell won the 2018 Beijing Championship, his first professional win.  

Garrett Rank (a), of Canada
Rank posted a 3-under 69 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. The Canada native competed in his first U.S. Open last year after qualifying in Georgia. Rank, who works as a NHL hockey referee, played both collegiate golf and hockey at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. 

Barry Babbitt, of Ocoee, Fla.
Babbitt carded a 2-under 70 at Mission Inn and grabbed a qualifying spot in a playoff. The Florida Junior Tour alum played his collegiate golf at Rollins College in Winter Park and won the 2017 Eastern Amateur. 

Canon Claycomb, of Bowling Green, Ky.
Claycomb secured a spot in sectional qualifying in a playoff after shooting a 2-under 70. The Kentucky native is a 2020 graduate and is verbally committed to the University of Alabama. Claycomb, who is currently ranked 67th in the WAGR, won the 2017 PING Invitational and competed in the 2017 U.S. Amateur Championship. 

Admiral's Cove (North/West) - May 3

Justin Hicks, of Wellington, Fla. - Medalist 
Hicks earned medalist honors at Admiral's Cove by three stroke with a 4-under 67. The Michigan native is looking to secure a spot in his seventh U.S. Open. Hicks, who played his collegiate golf at the University of Michigan, won twice on the Nationwide Tourand has 45 victories since 2006 on the Minor League Golf Tour.

Gary Nicklaus, of Jupiter, Fla.
Nicklaus carded a 1-under 70 to earn a spot in sectional qualifying. The son of the 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 2018 and represented team Florida at the Southeastern Challenge Matches. He finished tied for 15th at the Florida Senior Open Championship earlier this month. 

Max Buckley, of Rye, N.Y.
Buckley posted a 1-under 70 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. The Southern Methodist University graduate currently competes on the Mackenzie Tour, where he had a season-best tied for 14th finish at the Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open in 2018. 

Alfie Plant, of England
Plant grabbed a qualifying spot with a 1-under 70 at Admiral's Cove. A native of London, England, Plant won the 2017 European Amateur Championship and was a member of the 2017 Walker Cup. He also claimed the Silver Medal as the low amateur in the 2017 Open Championship (T-62). 

Peyton White, of Davidson, N.C. 
White secured the final qualifying spot in a playoff after shooting even-par 71. A 2017 graduate of Ohio University, White competed on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2018.

Camp Creek GC - May 6

Scott Strohmeyer, of Auburn, Ala. - Co-Medalist 
Strohmeyer secured co-medalist honors at Camp Creek with a 1-under 70. The Alabama native played his collegiate golf at the University of Alabama, where he helped the Crimson Tide to the 2013 NCAA Championship victory. Strohmeyer, who turned professional after college finished tied for fourth at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship. 

Kane Whitehurst, of Duluth, Ga. - Co-Medalist 
Whitehurst captured co-medalist honors and the second qualifying spot with a 1-under 70.

Lago Mar CC - May 6

Eric Cole, of Delray Beach, Fla. - Co-Medalist 
Cole fired a 6-under 66 at Lago Mar to share medalist honors. The son of Bobby Cole, a former PGA TOUR winner, and  Laura Cole, the 1973 LPGA Rookie of the Year, Baugh 

Tyler Strafaci (a), of Davie, Fla. - Co-Medalist
Strafaci carded a 6-under 66 to earn co-medalist honors. A five-time FJT winner, Strafaci won the Florida Boys' Junior Amateur Championship in 2014 and the Boys' Junior Match Play in 2013. The Florida native is a junior at Georgia Tech University and is looking to qualify for his second-straight U.S. Open. 

Chris Nido (a), of Mami, Fla.
Nido grabbed the last qualifying spot at Lago Mar in a playoff after posting a 5-under 67. The FJT alum finished runner-up at the 2016 Florida Boys' Junior Amateur Championship. Nido, a sophomore at the University of Florida, has recorded two top-25 finishes this season for he Gators, including a tied for eighth finish at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. 

Sawgrass CC - May 6

Philip Knowles, of Bradenton, Fla. - Medalist 
Knowles capture medalist honors at Sawgrass CC after firing a 5-under 67. The Florida native claimed the 2014 Florida Amateur Match Play Championship and won two FJT events. A senior at the University of North Florida, Knowles was a PING All-American Honorable Mention in 2018 and recently helped lead the Ospreys to a ASUN Conference Championship title. He has secured full status on the Mackenzie Tour this summer. 

John VanDerLaan, of Southbury, Conn.
VanDerLaan posted a 4-under 68 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. A 2018 graduate of Florida Southern University, VanDerLaan helped lead Florida Southern to the 2017 Division II men's golf championship title and captured the 2018 NCAA Division II individual championship title. The Connecticut native currently plays on the Web.Com Tour.

Stone Cowie, of Crawfordville, Fla.
Cowie carded 3-under 69 to advance to sectional qualifying. Cowie played his collegiate golf at Thomas University. 

Sam Straka, of Valdosta, Ga. 
Straka grabbed a spot in sectional qualifying with a 3-under 69. The Georgia native played collegiate golf at the University of Georgia. 

Travis Trace (a), of Jacksonville, Fla.
Trace posted a 3-under 69 at Sawgrass CC to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. The FJT alum is also a senior at the University of North Florida and has secured full status on the Mackenzie Tour this summer. Trace was a PING All-American Honorable Mention in 2018 and recently helped lead the Ospreys to a ASUN Conference Championship title. 

Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club- May 8

Guillermo Pereira, of Chile - Medalist
Pereira secured his spot in sectional qualifying by firing a 5-under 67. Pereira played collegiate golf at Texas Tech University before turning pro in 2015. Pereira is currently a member on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica where his best finish is T2 at the Buenaventura Classic.

Sean Busch, of West Lafayette, Ind.
Busch punched his ticket to US Open Sectional qualifying by shooting a 3-under 69. Busch played collegiate golf at Ohio State University before turning professional and becoming a member on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. 

Riley Johnson, of Fargo, N.D.
Johnson also fired a 3-under 69 to secure his spot in sectional qualifying. Before turning pro in 2018, Johnson played collegiate golf at the University of Minnesota where he was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Andreas Halvorsen, of Norway
Halvorsen carded a 3-under 69 to advance sectional qualifying. Halvorsen turned pro in 2015 and currently competes on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. 

Andrew Kozan (a), of West Palm Beach, Fla.
With a 2-under 70, Kozan was the only amateur at Banyan Cay to advance to sectional qualifying. The FJT alum is currently a member of the Auburn University Men's golf team 

Orange Tree Golf Club - May 8

Andy Pope, of Glen Ellyn, IL. - Medalist
Pope clinched medalist honors at local qualifying by carding a 6-under 66 to win by three strokes. Pope played collegiate golf at Xavier University before turning pro in 2006. Pope has qualified for the past three U.S. Opens.

Cristian Dimarco, of Heathrow, Fla.
Son of three-time PGA Tour winner, Chris Dimarco, Dimarco secured his spot in sectional qualifying by firing a 3-under 69. Dimarco played collegiate golf at the University of South Florida. After completing his college degree, Dimarco turned pro in 2018.

Eugene Hong (a), of Gainesville, Fla.
Hong punched his ticket to sectional qualifying by carding a 3-under 69. Hong is currently a freshman the University of Florida where he is a member of the men's golf team. 

Brendan Valdes (a), of Orlando, Fla.
Valdes, a current FJT member and participant carded a 2-under 70 to secure the last qualifying spot to move onto the sectional. Valdes is the current FJT Tour Championship Champion.

 Cypress Run Golf Club - May 9

Ryan Orr, of Belleair, Fla. - Medalist
Orr secured medalist honors after firing a 3-under 69. The FJT alum played his college golf at the University of Florida and then went on to turn professional in 2018. Orr was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient a member of the 2015 SEC Community Service Team.

John Somers, of Lutz, Fla.
Somers fired a 2-under 70 to secure his spot in the sectional qualifier. Somers played collegiate golf at Elon University before turning pro. He is currently a winner on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

Ryoto Furuya (a), of Tampa, Fla.
Furuya carded a 2-under 70 to grab a spot in the sectional qualifier. Furuya is a FJT alum and is currently a member of the University of South Florida's men's golf team. 

Khavish Varadan (a), of Malaysia
The Malaysian native secured his spot by shooting a 1-under 71 and defeating three others in a playoff. 

Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club - May 9

Justin Ahasic, of Naples, Fla. - Medalist
Ahasic secured medalists honors with a 4-under 68 and a six-man playoff to determine the 5 qualifying spots. Ahasic played collegiate golf at Santa Clara University where he was a two-time NCAA Academic All-American. Ahasic currently is the founder and owner of Synergy Golf.

Bobby Clampett, of Bonita Springs, Calif.
Clampett was a participant in the six-man playoff after also firing a 4-under 68. Calmpett is a member of the PGA Tour Champions and has had eleven top-10 finishes. 

Rigel Fernandes, of India
Fernandes was the third player to join the playoff after carding a 4-under 68 as well. Fernandes played collegiate golf at the University of South Florida before turning professional upon graduation.

Connor Arendell, of Cape Coral, Fla.
Arendell also survived the playoff after a 4-under 68. Arendell turned pro after graduating from the University of Central Florida. He has been a member of both the Web.com Tour and the PGA Tour Latinoamerica in his professional career.

Landon Michelson, of Miami, Fla.
Michelson was the last man to secure a qualifying spot with a score of 4-under 68. Michelson played collegiate golf at Rice University before turning pro in 2014. 

LPGA International (Jones) - May 9

Don Bell, of Port Orange, Fla. - Medalist
Bell clinched medalist honors after firing a 5-under 67. Bell is a six-time FSGA Champion with four of those victories happening in 2014. Bell has played in events on the Web.com Tour, the Champions Tour, and the PGA Tour.

Jordan Batchelor (a), of Saint Augustine, Fla.
Batchelor, the FJT alum, carded a 4-under 68 to secure his spot in the sectional qualifier. The FJT alum currently plays collegiate golf at the University of North Florida and captured the 2018 Florida Four-Ball Championship, with UNF teammate Michael Mattiace.

Sean Dale, of Jacksonville, Fla.
Dale fired a 3-under 69 to capture his spot at sectional qualifying. Dale a University of North Florida alum has played in events on the Mackenzie Tour, the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, and the Web.com Tour.

Bubba Dickerson, of Hilliard, Fla.
Dickerson shot a 3-under 69 to clinch his spot in sectional qualifying. Dickerson turned pro after playing collegiate golf at the University of Florida. 

Gordon Neale (a), of Dove Canyon, Calif.
Neale was the last person to qualify at LPGA International with a score of 3-under 69. Neale is currently a member of the men's golf team at the University of Florida. His accolades include two-time All-SEC Second Team and 2016 PING Honorable Mention All-American.

Shingle Creek Golf Club - May 13

Rob Oppenheim, of Andover, Mass.
Oppenheim fired an 8-under 64 to earn medalist honors at Shingle Creek Golf Club. The Massachusetts native, who played his collegiate at Rollins College in Winter Park, is a Web.Com Tour member. Oppenheim's best finish this season came in January at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, where he finished tied for fourth. 

Marcus Manley, of Washington, D.C.
Manley clinched a spot in sectional qualifying with a 4-under 68. The Washington native has been a member of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and currently teaches at The McCord Golf Academy. 

Matthew Campbell, of Rome, N.Y.
Campbell carded a 3-under 69 to secure one of the five qualifying spots. The New York native has status on the Web.com Tour for 2019 and is attempting to qualify for his second U.S. Open, after competing in 2017.

James Vargas, of Windermere, Fla.
Vargas posted a 2-under 70 at Shingle Creek to advance to sectional qualifying. The University of Florida golfer has been a member of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. 

Chase Cutshall (a), of Melbourne, Fla.
Cutshall secured the last qualify spot in a playoff after shooting a 1-under 71. The Florida native is a sophomore at Florida International University, where he is a member of the men's golf team. 

Sara Bay Country Club - May 13

Joe Ferreira, of East Falmouth, Mass.
Ferreira capture medalist honors at Sara Bay with a 4-under 68. The Massachusetts native is the head golf professional at Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice. 

Kevin Roy, of Tampa, Fla. 
Roy carded a 3-under 69 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying. The New York native has status on the Web.com Tour for 2019. 

Seath Lauer, of Huntington, Ind.
Lauer advnaced to sectional qualifying after posting a 3-under 69 at Sara Bay. Lauer has previously played on the Web.com Tour and played golf collegiality at Florida State University.  

Erik Souchak (a), of Sarasota, Fla.
Souchak earned one of the final spots at Sara Bay with a 2-under 70. The FJT alum is a sophomore on the University of South Florida's men's golf team.

Michael Visacki, Sarasota, Fla.
Visacki grabbed the last spot at Sara Bay and advanced to sectional qualifying at a 2-under 70. 

Willoughby Golf Club - May 13

Steve Lebrun, of West Palm Beach, Fla. 
Lebrun earned medalist honors at Willoughby, firing a 5-under 67. The Florida native plays on the Web.com Tour. His best finish of the season came in January at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, where he finished tied for second. 

Charles Kennerly (a), of Jupiter, Fla.
Kennerly was the lone amateur to qualify at Willoughby, carding a 3-under 69. The FJT alum is a redshirt sophomore at Wake Forest University, where he is a member of the men's golf team. 

Daniel Obremsk, of Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Obremsk posted 2-under 70 to grab a spot in sectional qualifying. The Coastal Carolina University graduate is a current PGA Tour LatinoAmerica member.  

Chad Bricker, of Waynesboro, Pa.
Bricker earned a spot in sectional qualifying with a 2-under 70 at Willoughby. 

Oscar Fraustro, of Mexico
Fraustro carded a 2-under 70 to secure a spot in sectional qualifying.