2026 U.S. Open Local Qualifying: Medford Village

Cerbara fires course-record 63, takes medal

MEDFORD, N.J. — When it comes to U.S. Open Local Qualifying administered by GAP, amateur Stephen Cerbara knows which way the river runs. In the past two years, he’s earned a share of qualifying medalist honors each time.

On Monday he kept his streak alive. In U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Medford Village Country Club (par 72, 7,019 yards), Cerbara blitzed the field with a course-record 9-under-par 63. The previous mark, 67, was set by Riccardo Fantinelli of Italy during 2025 U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying.

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“I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s a nothing to lose sort of mindset,” Cerbara, 27, of Philadelphia, Pa., said. “I’m excited for the next stage.”

Professionals Aman Gupta of Celina, Texas (67), David Sanders of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (67), Christopher Fosdick, of Middlefield, Conn. (68) and Owen Stamper of Scottsville, Ky. also advanced in regulation. 

The cutline stopped at 69. Ryan Cole of Glen Allen, Va. survived a 2-for-1 playoff for the final qualifying position. He advanced with a par on the first playoff hole, No. 1 (par 4, 435 yards).

Morning tee times were pushed back an hour due to frost. 

The 126th U.S. Open will take place June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.

Cerbara, who played professionally for two years on minitours, has enjoyed amateur reinstatement since March 2025. The opportunity to live near family and enjoy the mid.-am. golf scene appeals more than Monday qualifiers and the suitcase lifestyle.

“I got excited about playing these events, representing the club and getting to see everybody again,” Cerbara, a Huntingdon Valley Country Club member, said. “I think it’s more of an excitement factor.”  

While his professional designation now lives in his rearview, he’s made sure to keep his game in championship form. In addition to being a mainstay on GAP Major tee sheets, Cerbara characterizes experiences in the BMW GAP Team Matches as the perfect opportunity to “get geared up” at the beginning of the golf season.

“Any time you’re teeing the ball up where it counts, whether it’s nine holes, 18, one day, two days, it’s still really good to get that under your belt where you can feel comfortable trying to take it from practice to where it really matters,” Cerbara, who works in packaging sales, said. “It’s good to have those reps, and the guys over there are really good as well.”

Last year, Cerbara helped HVCC capture their record 35th BMW GAP Team Matches title. He stayed in title-chasing form with a second place finish in the 2025 GAP Middle-Amateur Championship. His talents even took him to the national mid.-am. stage. He Monday qualified for the 2026 Gasparilla Invitational held annually at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Fla. 

The same steely competitive prowess was on display Monday.

Cerbara, who started on Medford Village’s back nine, went out in 33. Red figures started following on No. 12 (par 4, 412 yards) after his nipped 60-degree from 100 yards stopped 15 feet away. A canned 12-footer after a 9-iron from 150 yards on No. 13 (par 4, 395) followed. He dropped a 10-footer on No. 18 (par 4, 450 yards) after a speared 50-degree from 137 yards. 

The Cerbara exhibition was enlivened with six birdies on Medford’s front side. A key stretch from Nos. 4-6 allowed him to close his hand around the medal. 

On No. 4 (par 3, 201 yards), his 7-iron stopped 18 feet away. On No. 5 (par 5, 506 yards), the same 7-iron, this time from 185 yards, stopped 30 feet away. A two-putt sealed the deal. On No. 6 (par 3, 170 yards), he steered an 8-iron to 10 feet. 

“The only thing I was thinking about going into today [was] the result will be what it will be, but as long as I can pick out targets I can live with however I play,” Cerbara said. “I obviously love the course, so it’s a lot of fun.”

Cerbara will head to Woodmont Country Club (North Course) in Rockville, Md. for Final Qualifying. It will be his fifth attempt (2018, 2022, 2024, 2025).

Gupta, a standout at Oklahoma State University, turned professional in 2022. Monday marks his fifth time making it through Local Qualifying. He will attempt Final Qualifying Dallas Athletic Club (Blue Course, Gold Course) in Dallas, Texas.

Sanders, has previously held status on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR Americas. It is his 17th time through Local Qualifying. He will head home for Final Qualifying at BallenIsles Country Club (East Course) in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Fosdick turned professional in 2024 and has conditional status on the PGA TOUR Americas. He will attempt his first Final Qualifying at Century Country Club & Golf Club of Purchase in Purchase, N.Y.

Stamper and Cole are on the Korn Ferry Tour Monday qualifying grind. Also a first time Local Qualifier, Stamper will attempt Final Qualifying at Dallas Athletic Club (Blue Course, Gold Course). Cole has made it through Local Qualifying five times. He will attempt Final Qualifying at Gaston Country Club in Gastonia, N.C.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 345 Member Clubs and 140,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.