Bala GC’s Walker tops Spring Ford CC Open Qualifier

  ROYERSFORD, Pa. – Bill Walker, an assistant professional out of Bala GC, rode some fortuitous bounces and timely long putts to top the 109-player field attempting to qualify for the 104^th Open Championship at Spring Ford CC (par 72, 6,698 yards) Monday.

  Walker carded a 3-under-par 69 to lead the field at the second qualifier used to help determine the field for the Championship set for July 23 at Lookaway GC.

  “I had a couple shots that could have ended up in bad shape but bounced the right way,” said the assistant professional in his second year at Bala GC. “I had a couple where I made birdie where I thought I might make a bogey.”

  Such was the case on the par 4, 17^th hole (413 yards) when Walker’s 4-iron off the tee went into a tree guarding the right side of the fairway. Figuring he’d be in some trouble, Walker was surprised to find his ball sitting in the fairway just over 215 yards from the flagstick. From there, he knocked a 5-iron onto the green and made the downhill 40-footer for his third birdie through eight holes (Walker started on No. 10).

  As he made the turn onto the first hole (No. 1, par 4, 457 yards), Walker found trouble right away after his tee shot found the fairway bunker and his second shot from the sand headed directly at the creek cutting across the fairway. But lady luck appeared yet again as his ball miraculously struck a rock in the hazard and bounced up onto the fairway where he eventually made a bogey.

  “That was a fortunate bounce and outcome,” said Walker, 38, of Riverton, N.J. “It could have been a lot worse.”

  Walker, who’s best finish at the Open was a tie for eighth place, hopes to take his strong play on into the Championship next month.

  “I struck it pretty steady all day, had some fortunate bounces and made some putts,” Walker said. “[The Open Championship] is still a month away so I still have to play well leading in.”

  Added Walker, “I want to continue to play well and try and keep the momentum going into our [Philadelphia] Section tournaments and then hopefully into the Open.”

  When the day came to an end, the cut line fell to 75 and a total of 22 players advanced into the Championship.

  The Open Championship’s field of 72 players will be comprised of 24 exempt entrants and 48 qualifiers. The final qualifier is scheduled for June 25 at LedgeRock GC where there will be nine qualifying positions available. The Open Championship will have a purse of $40,000.

  Mark Miller of Yardley CC finished at even-par 140 to take the 103rd Open Championship at historic Merion GC. Miller edged out Mark Sheftic (rounds of 70-71), an assistant professional at Sunnybrook GC, and the remainder of the 72-player field, by a stroke to become only the 12th amateur to capture the Open Championship.

  The field for the 104th Open Championship will consist of professionals who are members in good standing of the Philadelphia Section PGA, head professionals of GAP Member Clubs and amateurs who are members of member clubs and have handicap index of 7.0 or less.

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Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 136 Member Clubs and 56,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The purpose of the Association is simple: To promote, protect and preserve the game of golf in the region.