Carson Schaake Claims Medalist Honors at U.S. Open Local Qualifying
OMAHA (May 9, 2019) - Three players advanced out of Local Qualifying for the 2019 U.S. Open Championship on a cold and windy Thursday at Champions Run in Omaha.
Despite the cold temperature, Omaha’s Carson Schaake, the 2014 Nebraska Amateur Golfer of the Year, was hot from the start, and earned medalist honors with a round of 69 (-3). Schaake, now a professional playing on the mini-tours, grew up on the Champions Run course and started his round with birdies on Nos. 1 and 2. He then drove the green on the short par-4 fourth and rolled in the putt for an eagle to get to 4-under through four holes. Schaake cooled off a bit after that, but made it through the difficult back nine in even-par, including birdies on Nos. 11 and 17, to shoot the low round of the day by one stroke.
Just behind Schaake was Rylee Reinertson of Gibbon, who had a much different start, making seven straight pars to begin his round. Reinertson, the 2015 and 2016 Nebraska Amateur Golfer of the Year, made a bogey on the par-3 eighth to end the streak, but then started a new one with birdies on the next three holes to get to 2-under. He then made seven straight pars to close out his round of 70 (-2) to earn the second qualifying spot. Reinertson, who has conditional status on the Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada), was the only player in the field to break par on the back nine with his 34 (-2).
Omaha’s Philip Maschka finished his round of 73 (+1) early on and had to sweat it out while the rest of the field struggled through the back nine. The conditions and a long back nine took its toll though, and those that were under-par after the front nine, fell behind Maschka by the end of the round. He made three birdies during his round, all on the front nine. Maschka, who recently turned professional, will play on the Dakotas Tour this year.
Omaha’s Alex Schaake, a three-time Nebraska Amateur Champion, and Lincoln’s Jay Moore, both amateur golfers, fell one stroke short, each shooting 74 (+2). They went to a playoff to decide first and second alternate, with Schaake winning to get the first alternate position, and Moore falling to second alternate.
Schaake, Reinertson and Maschka will next play at one of 10 U.S. Open Sectional sites on Monday, June 3. They will have a chance there to qualify for the 119th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.
Final results can be found on the NGA website here: nebgolf.org/usga-events-and-qualifiers/
For more info on the U.S. Open visit the championship website here: usopen.com
About the NGA
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf's premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world's golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association's Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world's most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
