U.S. Open Local Qualifier Held at Berkshire Hills
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Rutland, Vt.'s, Jared Nelson and Dartmouth's, Mark Purrington Tuesday earned a spot in the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Tournament with their performances at the local qualifier at Berkshire Hills Country Club.
The two tied for first in the one-round event at 3-under-par 69 to earn the two berths at stake in the June 3 sectional in Purchase, N.Y.
Another Vermonter, Killington's Garren Poirier, finished just out of the money in third place at 2-under 70, the only other red number on the leaderboard.
Poirier, like Nelson, is an amateur.
Nelson made the turn at even par but started the back nine strong with birdies on the 531-yard, par 5 10th hole and 390-yard, par 4 11th. He added one more birdie on the 474-yard par 5 15th.
Purrington also earned his spot on the back. He was 1-over through nine but birdied the 10th, 11th and 384-yard, par 4 12th to move to 2-under. Then he finished with a birdie on the 494-yard, par 518th.
Thirty-three golfers teed off on Tuesday morning.
The top Berkshire County finisher was Eric Mabee of Pittsfield, who tied for seventh place at 2-over 74.
Other local finishers included Pittsfield's Shaun Powers (78) and Lenox's Thomas Villetto Jr. (88).
New Jersey's Sam Goldenring, a junior on the Williams College men's golf team, finished at 76.
