The 59th Delaware Open heads to Fieldstone Golf Club for the third time (2003, 2009) Aug. 12-13.
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In last year’s edition at Bear Trap Dunes, Michael Chanaud wowed his home crowd with an impeccable driver display. An eagle on No. 12 after hitting his driver to a foot vaulted him to the title with a 54-hole total of 15-under-par.
“Winning at home at Bear Trap meant a lot to me,” Chanaud, 30, of Ocean View, Del., said. “I learned the game there. I had a lot of support there. I was able to hold off Braden at the end. That was the hardest part. Being able to walk up 18 knowing I was going to win and see all of the support from my family and friends is something I won’t forget.”
Chanaud’s dominance in any event that has words Delaware and Open in it the last couple years, has been noted. He will be going for a three-peat at the Delaware Mid-Open this year at Bayside Resort Golf Club.
“I put myself near the top of the leaderboard a bit growing up,” Chanaud said. “The more times I get into contention the more comfortable I feel. When I get into those events at a course I know well, I feel like I can get the job done.”
Fieldstone Golf Club, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is a Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry design known for its dramatic elevation changes, rolling fairways, classic old-world style bunkering.
“I know Fieldstone decently well,” Chanaud said. “I like that it is a difficult golf course but there are some scorable holes. It has a good combination of holes where par is a good score but also having birdie holes.”
Chanaud is looking to become the fifth player in the history of the event to win consecutive titles. The others include: Richard Osberg (1974-77), Pete Oakley (1986-87), Joey Maxon (1998-99) and Chris Anderson (2003-04).
“My key to solid golf right now is hitting as many greens in regulation as I possibly can,” Chanaud, an assistant professional at The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, said. “I struggle with that on occasion. When I hit my irons well and am giving myself 14 to 15 putts for birdie, I feel like I have more success.”
The field will be cut to the low 36 scores and ties for the final 36-hole day.
The low professional receives $3,500.
Past champions in the field include: Chanaud (2023); Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club (2005, 2012); Chris Krueger of Kings Creek Country Club (1994); Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club (2015, 2022), Eric Onesi of Hartefeld National Golf Club (2010); Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club (2018, 2021) and Jay Whitby of Rehoboth Beach Country Club (2013).
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 organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 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.
