WPGA - Mediate, Mills Qualify for US Open

In the Columbus, Ohio, Sectional Qualifying Rounds for the US Open Championship, both Rocco Mediate, Greensburg, (72-67) and Jon Mills, (73-66) Indiana, found themselves at 139 and in a playoff to advance to the championship. The Sectional, played on June 2, was held at Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course and Brookside G & CC. On Monday evening Mediate advanced with an early birdie but Mills had to wait until Tuesday morning as darkness intervened. Mills then qualified the next morning. This is his second Open, as he qualified for the 2007 Open at Oakmont, and missed the cut by one stroke. Mediate has played well in several Opens.

Other area players at this Sectional—Steve Wheatcroft, Washington, 75-69—144; (a) Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, 72-73—145; (a) Nathan Sutherland, Oakmont, 72-73—145; (a) Mike VanSickle, Wexford, 75-75—150, and (a) Trent Karlik, McKees Rocks, 85-WD.

At Springfield CC near Dayton, Chip Zimmerman, Atlanta, was close with 68-69—137. Zimmerman, whose family belongs to Pittsburgh Field Club, lived in this area for two decades. Others area players at Springfield were (a) David Brown, St. Clair, 72-70—142, Bob MacWhinnie, Pittsburgh, 71-73—144, and Dennis Munko, Leechburg, 76-74—150.