Derek Tolan will long be remembered as the first Colorado kid to qualify for the U.S. Open as a 16-year-old. But you’ll have to excuse him if he doesn’t want that to be the only thing he’s remembered for when it comes to the Open.
The Highlands Ranch resident would not only like to earn a return trip to the U.S. Open for the first time since 2002, but he’d like to parlay that into something big.
“You know, (qualifying in 2002 at such a young age) doesn’t really mean much anymore,” said the two-time HealthOne Colorado Open champion, now 29. “It was a great experience at the time. Even now if you make it, it doesn’t really mean anything unless you do well and do something with it. I don’t know if that’s part of growing up, having more expectations or my game improving. But obviously it’s good to have a chance again this year. Just getting to (the second stage of qualifying) doesn’t mean a whole lot. You’ve got to really play well, and have a chance to parlay it into a career.”
That part may come down the road, but for now — Tuesday specifically — Tolan (above) took care of business by advancing to the final stage of U.S. Open qualifying by sharing medalist honors in a Local Qualifier at the Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster.
In all, five players each from 18-hole Local Qualifiers at Westmoor and the Broadmoor Golf Club’s East Course in Colorado Springs punched their tickets to Sectionals, which will be contested over 36 holes at 10 U.S. sites on June 8. The top performers on that date will earn spots in the U.S. Open, set for June 18-21 at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
The five players who advanced from Heritage at Westmoor, all of whom shot 2-under-par 70s, were Tolan, 2012 CGA Junior Match Play champion Andrew Romano of Lone Tree, Jim Knous of Englewood, Greg Johnson of Lakewood, and Dino Giacomazzi of Salinas, Calif. Knous has earned Sectional berths the last three years at Heritage at Westmoor. Tolan, Johnson and Romano each birdied his final hole on Tuesday to land a share of medalist honors.
At the Broadmoor, Colin Prater of Colorado Springs birdied the last three holes and needed just 22 putts overall at the East Course to shoot a 2-under-par 69 and claim medalist honors by one shot. Prater, the NCAA Division II Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award winner in 2014 (when he played for Colorado Mesa), transferred to the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs before this school year, but had to sit out the entire season. Tuesday marked his first tournament since December.
Joining Prater (left) in advancing from the Broadmoor were Colorado PGA professional Eric Bradley of Eagle (70), former Colorado State golfer Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs (72), 2013 CGA Junior Match Play champion Jake Staiano of Cherry Hills Village (72) and Colorado Christian University golfer Nathaniel Goddard of Fort Collins (72). Harrell, a former U.S. Amateur qualifier, posted an eagle on the 402-yard par-4 sixth hole on Tuesday. Goddard played his last seven holes in 3 under par.
The fact that Tolan, a former University of Colorado golfer, advanced should come as no surprise. By his best recollection, he’s made to to U.S. Open Sectionals six or seven times, including each of the last three years. Last June, he came relatively close to qualifying for the Open by placing 15th out of 110 players in Daly City, Calif., where the top five punched their tickets to the national championship.
On Tuesday, after three-putting his 17th hole from 12 feet, Tolan needed a 5-foot birdie on his 18th to assure himself a spot in Sectionals.
Meanwhile, Knous continued to be able to rely on the Heritage at Westmoor site to earn berths into Sectionals. The former Colorado School of Mines standout used an eagle on the sixth hole en route to his third consecutive successful Local Qualifier at the course.
“Three years in a row is pretty amazing,” said the 25-year-old, who shot a course-record 60 at Boulder Country Club during the 2010 CGA Stroke Play. “I don’t know what it is exactly, but the course just fits my eye. It’s kind of open and I can hit driver everywhere. It’s long. It sets up for me. I like the golf course.”
Knous, the 2012 NCAA Division II national runner-up, hasn’t yet qualified for a U.S. Open, but has high hopes.
“Every year I just keep getting a little bit better,” he said. “It’s a real opportunity to get to that next level. It’s about time for me to get to that next level or the dream is going to have to stop pretty soon. You just can’t sustain mini-tour golf for very long.”
As for the other Coloradans to advance from Heritage at Westmoor, Johnson will be going to Sectionals for the second time in four years, while Romano will be making his first trip ever.
Romano, who just completed his first season at the University of Northern Colorado, like Knous eagled the sixth hole Tuesday en route to co-medalist honors.
“It’s been a dream” to have a chance to play in the U.S. Open, the 20-year-old said. “I’ve been so close in a couple of USGA events. I’ve just got to keep grinding. You never know — just one day away, a couple of good rounds away.”
Of those who advanced Tuesday, Johnson cut things the closest. Knowing he likely needed a birdie to make Sectionals, he snap-hooked his drive on his final hole (No. 9), putting his ball into the native grass. With a 7-iron, “I swung pretty much as hard as I could,” the 26-year-old former Regis University golfer said. “I looked up and the ball was going all over the flag. And I happened to make the putt (a 30-footer) on top of it, too. I needed to do something. I was really trying to make that last putt there. That last hole was pretty awesome.”
Meanwhile, at the Broadmoor, Prater ruled the roost, especially with his putter. He made the most of his knowledge of the course — his grandparents are members, and he estimates he’s played that historic layout about 50 times.
“
I’ve been able to play here for many years through (my grandparents),” the 20-year-old said. “I putted extremely well today. I had 22 putts. I attribute all of that to course knowledge. I didn’t hit the ball particularly well, but I putted extraordinarily well.
“I’ve had pretty good putting rounds, but 22 is probably the lowest I’ve had in my entire life.”
In fact, with his six-birdie round — which included a 35-footer on the closing hole — Prater was able to make his late afternoon chemistry final exam at UCCS without having to worry whether his score would be good enough to advance. As it was, he had no problem making Sectionals for the first time, despite this being just his second tournament since last summer.
“It’s real nice to get my feet wet again playing golf,” he said. “It was a goal of mine to qualify for Sectionals and I was able to accomplish that. I’m thrilled.”
A third and final Colorado-based U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournament will be held May 19 at Collindale Golf Club in Fort Collins.
U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-72 Heritage at Westmoor in Westminster
ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
Greg Johnson, Lakewood, Colo., 35-35–70
Dino Giacomazzi, Salinas, Calif., 35-35–70
Derek Tolan, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 34-36–70
Andrew Romano, Lone Tree, Colo., 34-36–70
James Knous, Englewood, Colo., 33-37–70
ALTERNATES (In Order After 4-Hole Playoff)
Chris Korte, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 36-35–71
Matt Robertson, Lakewood, Colo., 37-34–71
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Dillon Mcdonald, Wolcott, Colo., 35-37–72
David Oraee, Greeley, Colo., 36-36–72
Anthony Aguilar, Phoenix, Ariz., 36-37–73
Charles Soule, Denver, Colo., 37-36–73
Bryan Kruse, Westminster, Colo., 39-34–73
Luke Symons, Aurora, Colo., 35-38–73
Tommy Carpenter, Greenwood Village, Colo., 34-39–73
Steven Kupcho, Westminster, Colo., 37-37–74
Adam Griffith, Westminster, Colo., 37-37–74
Daniel Pearson, Longmont, Colo., 38-36–74
Andrew Vance, Denver, Colo., 36-38–74
Jeremy Paul, Boulder, 35-39–74
Gus Lundquist, Parker, Colo., 38-36–74
Kane Webber, Denver, 40-34–74
Kevin Burke, Aurora, Colo., 37-38–75
Keenan Holt, Durango, Colo., 36-39–75
Steve Connell, Thornton, Colo., 39-36–75
Chris Bourdeon, Castle Pines, Colo., 38-37–75
Collin Covault, Bagdad, Ariz., 35-40–75
Cody Vance, Lakewood, Colo., 36-39–75
Joe Lord, Arvada, Colo., 37-39–76
Paul Beblavi, Denver, Colo., 38-38–76
Braden Baer, Westminster, Colo., 38-38–76
Ryan Schmitz, Greenwood Village, Colo., 38-38–76
Trevor Olkowski, Grand Junction, Colo., 38-38–76
Derek Eley, Thornton, Colo., 41-35–76
Drew Trujillo, Montrose, Colo., 40-36–76
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 36-41–77
Leif Olson, Golden, Colo., 38-40–78
Grant Jackson, Aurora, Colo., 37-41–78
Zahkai Brown, Arvada, Colo., 40-38–78
Patrick Arellano, Denver, Colo., 38-40–78
Douglas Wherry, Lakewood, Colo., 41-37–78
Sean Kurzweil, Denver, Colo., 36-42–78
Grant Rogers, Boulder, Colo., 38-41–79
Nick Berry, Golden, Colo., 43-36–79
Jackson Vacek, Lafayette, Colo., 38-41–79
Dan Sniffin, Denver, Colo., 40-39–79
Oliver Jack, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., 39-40–79
Trey Lambrecht, Sterling, Colo., 41-38–79
Matt Vacek, Lafayette, Colo., 40-39–79
Behrod Keshtavar, Erie, Colo., 38-42–80
Bretton Krantz, Windsor, Colo., 38-42–80
Jack Allen, Aurora, Colo., 39-41–80
Dan Keyghobad, Aurora, Colo., 41-39–80
Ross Macdonald, Castle Rock, Colo., 40-40–80
Jason Holley, Englewood, Colo., 40-41–81
Aristides Papadopoulos, Avon, Colo., 39-42–81
Mike Chavez, Arvada, Colo., 37-44–81
Sam Taylor, Nederland, Colo., 42-40–82
Dustin Miller, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-41–82
Trey Fankhouser, Goodwell, Okla., 43-39–82
Luke Goeglein, Yuma, Colo., 40-42–82
Jonathan Doern, Denver, Colo., 40-43–83
Josh Pusar, Castle Rock, Colo., 43-40–83
Lamar Carlile, Denver, Colo., 42-42–84
Alex Gorman, Broomfield, Colo., 40-44–84
Lenny Urbas, Evergreen, Colo., 43-41–84
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 42-43–85
Corey Stanton, Breckenridge, Colo., 40-45–85
Kyle Burns, Denver, Colo., 43-43–86
Keith Mergenthal, Westminster, Colo., 42-44–86
Ryan Tierney, Redwood City, Calif., 44-44–88
Stephen Horvey, Arvada, Colo., 45-43–88
Ethan Yamada, Arvada, Colo., 44-48–92
Austin Pilkington, Thornton, Colo., 46-46–92
Subin Lee, Englewood, Colo., 48-44–92
Matthew Oliver, Westminster, Colo., 47-57–104
Christopher Good, Denver, Colo., WD
Harrison Murphy, McKinney, Texas, WD
Thomas B. Noonan, Jr., Boulder, Colo., WD
Dean Siskowski, Johnstown, Colo., WD
Christopher Thayer, Denver, Colo., WD
Shane Bertsch, Parker, Colo., WD
Jon Lindstrom, Westminster, Colo., WD
Joshua Seiple, Castle Rock, Colo., WD
U.S. Open Local Qualifying
At Par-71 Broadmoor GC East Course in Colorado Springs
ADVANCE TO SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
Colin Prater, Colorado Springs, Colo., 35-34–69
Eric Bradley, Eagle, Colo., 34-36–70
Nathaniel Goddard, Fort Collins, Colo., 38-34–72
Jake Staiano, Cherry Hills, Colo., 36-36–72
Cameron Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo., 34-38—72
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs, Colo., 34-39–73
Josh Woodworth, Durango, Colo., 34-39—73
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Christopher Roehrkasse, Parker, Colo., 36-38–74
Derek Fribbs, Castle Rock, Colo., 36-38–74
Chase Federico, Pueblo, Colo., 37-37–74
Wilson Belk, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-36–74
Jeffrey Chapman, Centennial, Colo., 35-39–74
Jon Roth, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-37–75
Brandon Barron, Centennial, Colo., 36-40–76
Michael Fan, Usaf Academy, Colo., 37-39–76
Ken Tamez, Colorado Springs, Colo., 39-38–77
Kyler Booher, Carbondale, Colo., 39-38–77
Sam Nichamin, Avon, Colo., 38-39–77
Ben Krueger, Colorado Springs, Colo., 39-38–77
Nick Zinanti, Pueblo, Colo., 38-40–78
Garrett Froggatte, Colorado Springs, Colo., 40-38–78
Audie Dean, Centennial, Colo., 39-39–78
Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo., 40-38–78
Austin Burgess, Colorado Springs, Colo., 39-39–78
Blake Young, Trinidad, Colo., 39-39–78
Taylor Stamp, Colorado Springs, Colo., 40-38–78
Jack Cummings, Arvada, Colo., 37-42–79
Timothy Amundson, Littleton, Colo., 38-41–79
Mike Swan, Crested Butte, Colo., 43-36–79
Kaleb Nichols, Peyton, Colo., 42-37–79
Gilbert Garcia, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-42–80
Shaun Payne, Albuquerque, N.M., 38-42–80
Daniel Augustine, Castle Pines, Colo., 43-37–80
Matthew Goddard, Fort Collins, Colo., 41-39–80
Justin Fox, Montrose, Colo., 43-37–80
Devyn Solano, Aurora, Colo., 39-41–80
Matthew Hart, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-40–81
Joel Norwood, Denver, Colo., 43-38–81
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-39–81
James Vaughn, Greenwood Village, Colo., 42-39–81
Alex Kephart, Colorado Springs, Colo., 40-41–81
Marc Renjard, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-44–82
Mitchell Smith, Elizabeth, Colo., 37-45–82
Connor Klein, Lone Tree, Colo., 41-41–82
Rob Cummings, Denver, Colo., 40-42–82
Connor Alexander, Castle Rock, Colo., 39-43–82
Mike Kerrigan, Castle Rock, Colo., 43-39–82
Ryan Connors, Montrose, Colo., 42-41–83
Jason Kroese, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 42-41–83
Derek Williams, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-41–83
Cody Eberl, Lakewood, Colo., 40-43–83
Victor Minovich, Morrison, Colo., 42-42–84
Kale Waaso, Castle Rock, Colo., 42-42–84
Marshall Clark, Denver, Colo., 42-42–84
David Schroeder, Colorado Springs, Colo., 44-40–84
Owen Pasvogel, Colorado Springs, Colo., 46-38–84
Justin Snyder, Aurora, Colo., 42-42–84
Braden Bentley, Colorado Springs, Colo., 40-45–85
Chad Hansen, Gypsum, Colo., 43-42–85
Sam Chapman, Parker, Colo., 42-43–85
Mark Pustay, Albuquerque, N.M., 41-45–86
Chris Winter, Colorado Springs, Colo., 47-39–86
Ryne Scholl, Breckenridge, Colo., 42-44–86
Bill Parker, Denver, Colo., 38-48–86
Aaron Bevans, Parker, Colo., 41-45–86
Jonathan Marsico, Denver, Colo., 46-40–86
Cole Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo., 46-40–86
Luke Travins, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-44–86
Joey Bast, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 41-46–87
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 40-48–88
Caleb Blass, Colorado Springs, Colo., 43-45–88
Nick Vanetten, Colorado Springs, Colo., 42-47–89
Zachary Dobrota, Sandusky, Ohio, 46-43–89
Benjamin Cockrill, Greeley, Colo., 45-44–89
Taylor Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 45-45–90
Matt Pasvogel, Colorado Springs, Colo., 51-43–94
Brian Thomas, Commerce City, Colo., 46-49–95
Russ Aragon, Aspen, Colo., NS
Beau Hombach, Parker, Colo., WD
Benjamin Schlossmann, Fox Point, Wis., NS
Graham Cliff, Parker, Colo., WD
Bob Maggard, Parker, Colo., NS
Tyler Enna, Castle Rock, Colo., WD
David Lysaught, Basalt, Colo., WD
