SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (June 16, 2011) -Current Gateway Pro Tour members Brian Locke and Bennett Blakeman passed the test that the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier had to offer, and both will be in the field for the 2011 U.S. Open, which starts today at the Congressional Country Club near Washington D.C.
Blakeman, playing at St. Charles Country Club in his home state of Illinois, finished first out of 56 players in the Sectional Qualifier, shooting 68-67 to earn a return trip to the U.S. Open. Blakeman also qualified for last year’s U.S. Open, where he failed to make the cut after shooting 81-85 over the first two days.
He currently ranks 35th on the GPT money list and has made eight cuts in 16 tournaments in 2011.
Locke’s road to the U.S. Open was a little rockier than Bateman’s. First of all, Locke survived a playoff in a local qualifier to advance to the Sectional Qualifier at Oakmont Country Club in Los Angeles.
After playing 36 holes at Oakmont and shooting 69-70, he once again found himself in a playoff, this time with three other players, all vying for the last of five spots. The format for the playoff was simple – they would play the par-3 16th over and over until someone came out victorious. It took three tries, but Locke secured his spot in the U.S. Open by sinking a 10-foot birdie putt in the dark to advance.
“My time has finally come,” Locke said to a reporter after his round.
The Los Angeles native has had a pretty solid year on the Gateway Pro Tour in 2011. He is currently 15th on the money list and has made 11 of 15 cuts with three Top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish back in May.
“This is one of the reasons these guys work so hard on the course, to get a chance to play with the best of the best on the PGATOUR,” said Ryan Pray, Executive Director of the Gateway Pro Tour. “We are happy for Bennett and Brian and wish them the best of luck at the U.S. Open.”
Congrats to both Bennett and Brian. Good luck guys!
Established in 2001, the Gateway Pro Tour was created to help aspiring PGA TOUR professionals fine-tune their skills in competitive golf tournaments. In its 10-year history, the Tour has maintained a leading position as the premier developmental professional golf tour on the West Coast. Today, Gateway continues to provide the ideal competitive environment as well as significant financial opportunities for aspiring PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour professionals. The Gateway Pro Tour features 30 events January through October in Arizona and California. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to apply for membership online for the 2011 season, go to www.gatewayprotour.com.
Contact:
Ryan Woodcock
Email: info@gatewayprotour.com
Phone: 480-247-7559
