U.S. Open local qualifying returns to Secession

Secession Golf Club was named Wednesday as one of 111 local qualifying sites for this year’s U.S. Open, taking place May 17 as one of the final venues for the 18-hole first stage.

Secession returns to the list for the first time since 2013, when Beaufort’s Mark Anderson shared medalist honors. Long Cove Club served as the Lowcountry’s qualifying site in 2014, shifting to Oldfield GC last year.

A second South Carolina local qualifier will be contested May 9 at Spartanburg’s Carolina Country Club. Sectional qualifying venues will be announced next month by the U.S. Golf Association.

This year’s Open will be played at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh, which has crowned such champions as Jack Nicklaus (1962), Johnny Miller (1973), Ernie Els (1994) and Angel Cabrera (2007).

Registration begins next month at the USGA.org website. Entrants must present a handicap index of 1.4 or lower, or be a professional.

HURRICANE TOUR SIGNUP

The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour returns to the Lowcountry next month for the Hilton Head Junior Shootout, to be played March 19-20 at Island West Golf Club.

The tournament is open to all golfers from ages 8-18, with three age divisions for boys and two for girls.

Entrants can sign up online at HJGT.bluegolf.com. Fees are $195 for HJGT membes and $245 for non-members.

BIG TEN GATHERING

Alumni of Big Ten universities are invited to show their school spirit at the inaugural Big Ten on Hilton Head Golf Outing, to be played March 5 at Bear Creek Golf Club.

Entry fees are $50 per person, including lunch after completion of play and prizes. Non-golfers are invited to lunch for $10 per person.

For more information or a copy of the registration form, contact Jim Waechter at 314-941-6814 or via email at jrwaechter@mac.com.

ACES & ALBATROSSES

▪ Tom Carney recorded a hole-in-one Feb. 22 on the seventh hole at Hidden Cypress Golf Club, finding the cup with a 4-hybrid from 162 yards. Witnesses were Tim Pucko, Jim Bergman and Dan Morse.

▪ Marty McGreal posted a hole-in-one Feb. 17 on the 12th hole at Okatie Creek Golf Club, using a 6-iron to hole out from 159 yards. Witnesses were Stan Kaiko, Gary Lausch and Dan Resetarits.

▪ Ken Munroe carded a hole-in-one at Heron Point’s seventh hole back on Jan. 11, watching his 5-iron from 135 yards find its way into the hole. Witnesses were John Ehlers and Gary Wheatley.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 8:17 PM with the headline "U.S. Open local qualifying returns to Secession."