Anyone ever attempted to qualify/qualified for the Open - Either US or British

[Irishman1979]

Played in numerous U.S. Open qualifiers from the age of 18-23. Always ended up in the low 70's, just couldn't quite get to the number needed to qualify.

Cashed a few checks on the mini tours in Florida so I know if I had a good day I was capable of qualifying but that just didn't happen unfortunately.

If I can get my game back to the level I am capable of I'll go out and enter some qualifiers. I took 15 years off from the game so I'm giving myself a couple years before I consider it.

One thing I notice now being older Is I over think way more than I did when I was in my late teens and early 20's. Back then I was paired with guys who have had status on the Buy.com and PGA tours and I never once thought I couldn't beat them. Played with Craig Perks, Steve Hart, Kevin Streelman, Roy Biancalana and the list can go on. Always held my head up high and felt that every shot with every club I could execute under pressure with them in my group. After being away from the game for so long I struggled with that this year. That mindset is going to be the defining factor if I ever decide to chase the dream one more time. Maybe I'll be one of those guys that plays their best golf once they hit 50.

 

[Zigzog]

Ok, here goes!

When I was younger I was a very good player (+4 handicap), but had no backing in order to try and do something with whatever talent I had. I had some behavioural issues also which made me pretty much afraid of any social interactions.

I tried to qualify for the British Open and got to final qualifying; where the situation very much got the better of me. I wasn't close at all in the end.

I stopped playing competitively for about 15 years, just did other stuff and played a few games a year for fun.

The last two years I have got back into it heavily, managed to get back to a +3 handicap. I would say I am a more complete player now, old age and all that!

I have just finished a large piece of work and now find myself with a choice to make. I was thinking of devoting the next 6 months or so to just playing golf, travelling to some decent weather and getting some decent coaching. My wife actually suggested it, as she knows I look back often to when I could not afford to do this it and wonder what might have been. I do consultant work now, so getting another job after this time out would be no issue (I was actually doing some financial stuff for Brexit, which isn't going anywhere fast!)

I have a few concerns, time away from family is one - but to be honest I only plan to take a few weeks away and when the better weather arrives I plan to stay local to Scotland.Sometimes I am away for a couple of weeks at a time with work, so no real difference.

I also get concerned about how I will get on, the young guys hit the ball so far and I simply cannot compete on that point. Inside 120 yards I would take on anybody - but the modern game really has changed. Thankfully the open qualification courses are generally not the monster lengths of some others - so don't feel too bad about that. I am also an excellent links golf player, having grown up on the coast of Scotland.

I have nothing to lose, but my mind tells me I am wasting my time - I do suffer from a rare and quite severe form of autism, which may well explain that - although I have spent the last 20 years getting help for that and am a lot better now in coping with it.

Can I qualify at my age, early 40s? It would be a life long ambition if I was to do so -I have no intention or interest in doing anything else in competitive golf, just to qualify would make it complete for me.

So what say you all, waste of time or any slim chance?

[Obee]

Thank you for sharing this with us. :-)

In a word: Yes!! Do it!!!

 

[Steele47]

I would say not a waste of time at all. Who knows maybe you'll be another Ken Tanigawa. With your wife's support I don't see the dilemma.

[mizuno player]

Life is too damn short. Go for it. I've been mostly away from the game the last five years. This coming year I plan on trying for US senior Am and Open. If I'm healthy.

 

I've tried one USGA qualifier. US Mid Am. It was the most brutal greens in terms of firmness and speed I've ever played. Still. I shot 80 and finished in the top 1/3. Medalist was 73. ( Par 70). It was a great fun to experience that I hope to have again.

 

OP. Do it and have fun.

[DangerousDan]

If it is what you want to do go for it!

The only thing preventing a lot of talented golfers from going after it like you speak of is the money and time to do so.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, I will be routing for you 100%!

I hope you do it so you never have any regrets.

Best of luck!

[burritos4breakfast]

go for it! wifes behind you and sounds like work won't be an issue. I'd be all in

[ALIF]

With your current skill level and your room for improvement, you may have a very legitimate chance to qualify. I think it would be very reasonable to try to do so. If you don’t you will always wonder what if?

[isaacbm]

Was 7th alternate at Shinecock Hills the year Pavin won. Didn’t even make the trip. Not one alternate got in!

[llamont]

@ OP (Zigzog)

Go for it so some of us talent-deficient golfers can live vicariously!!!

 

 

 

 

[CincyJCK]

Absolutely go for it.

[ALIF]

One of my high school golf teammates played in that US Open. Was that 95?

[isaacbm]

Yes. I was 4 shots better and 35 lbs lighter back then!!

[benthegolfer]

Have played in a few local qualifiers -- need to quit spending so much time at the desk job though and more time on the course hope to get back out there this year or next

[golftejas]

Interesting story ... in 2015 I was playing on Thursday nights in a weekly 9-hole scramble tournament at a course west of Fort Worth, Tx. I'm an average golfer. One night our 4th man couldn't make it so the club pro, Ben Kern, agreed to play with us. What a joy to watch his skills, nice guy. Then in 2018, after he moved on to a better club job near Austin, Tx., I read that he would be playing in the PGA tournament at Bellrive after multi-event qualifying. And then he ends up winning low PGA club professional honors (Brooks Koepka won the 2018 PGA).

ZigZog, I hope this provides some motivation to give it a shot and enjoy the ride!

[llamont]

@golftejas Thanks for sharing! I just looked Kern up and he’s a total stud!! It’s great to see club pros leaving their marks on the big stage.

[HackDaddy360]

Made it to sectional qualifying one for the US Open. Shot like 71-68 if memory serves. Eagled the par 5 18th and ended up getting in by 2.

Played in the US Am in 05 at Merion. Am was a harder qualifier.

[Skhacker]

There's no right or wrong path. Only your path. Go for it if you can, rather than wondering the rest of your life if you should have. Good luck!