May 16, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s golf sophomore Seth Blann and freshman Cody Martin advanced through the first stage of the 2011 United States Golf Association U.S. Open local qualifying after each scored impressive scores at the Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday.
Blann, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., earned a qualifying spot after posting an even-par 72. The sophomore played in nine events for UK last season, earning a season stroke average of 76.44. Blann’s best finish came in the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, where he finished 20th. His best 18-hole round of the year also came in the Mobile Bay event when he scored a 4-under-par 68 in the final round.
Martin finished just behind Blann at 1-over-par 73 at the event Monday. The native of Union, Ky., had a great freshman season, playing in nine events with a season stroke average of 75.50. Martin finished with one top-10 finish on the season with a tied for fourth showing in the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate. The freshman had a great spring, finishing as UK’s top golfer in three consecutive spring tournaments.
The event, which was officiated by the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, was played at par 72 with a yardage of 6,655. A total of 12 qualifiers advanced through the local stage and will now play in the U.S. Open sectional qualifier with a chance to play in the 11th US Open Championship on June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
The U.S. Open Championship is open to any professional, or to any amateur with an up-to-date USGA handicap index not exceeding 1.4 under the men’s USGA handicap system. When play starts on June 18, 156 players will be in the field.
After local qualifying, approximately 750 entrants, including those exempt from local qualifying, will be eligible for sectional qualifying rounds. The sectional qualifying rounds, consisting of 36 holes of stroke play, are scheduled for May 25 and June 7 at 14 sites throughout the U.S., England, and Japan. The final field of 156 players is comprised of place-winners in the sectional qualifying rounds and those exempt from both the Local and sectional qualifying rounds.
