Schaake Brothers Share Medalist Honors, Two Others Advance to U.S. Open Final Qualifying
U.S. Open Local Qualifying Conducted on Wednesday at Omaha Country Club
OMAHA (May 8, 2023) - The Schaakes continued a great history at Omaha Country Club on Wednesday, as Alex and Carson Schaake of Omaha shared medalist honors and were two of four players to advance past Local Qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Open.
The Schaakes each shot 67 (-4) to tie for the low rounds of the day, with ideal conditions throughout. They are the last two Nebraskans to advance out of Local Qualifying, all the way to the U.S. Open. Carson did so in 2021 at Torrey Pines, and Alex accomplished the feat last year at Los Angeles Country Club.
A three-way tie for third led to a playoff for the final two spots, with Lincoln's Nate Vontz, Omaha's Sam Vocelka and Husker golfer Gentry Scheve of Emporia, Kansas each shooting 69 (-2). Vontz had to punch out of the trees on the first playoff hole (No. 18), but was able to save par, while Vocelka and Scheve made bogey. It's the second time making it through a playoff at Omaha Country Club for Vontz.
Scheve and Vocelka went on to a second playoff hole, and Vocelka made a similar par save after punching out from the trees. However, Scheve knocked his approach shot close and rolled in the birdie putt to secure the last spot.
Vocelka is the first alternate, while Elkhorn's Ryan Nietfeldt is the second alternate after a round of 70 (-1).
The four qualifiers will play next at one of 10 Final Qualifying sites, most of which will take place on June 3. Top finishers from those sites will advance to the 124th U.S. Open, June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.
Final results and more are available at the button below.
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The Nebraska Golf Association (NebGolf), 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 NebGolf. 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.
