Deerwood’s Farrow tops U.S. Senior Open Qualifier

  MT. HOLLY, N.J.-Greg Farrow, the head professional from neighboring Deerwood CC, fired a 1-under-par 69 to top the local U.S. Senior Open Qualifier run by the Golf Association of Philadelphia at Burlington CC (par 70, 6684 yards) Tuesday.

  Farrow, who managed to card the only sub-par round in 67-player field, will be joined by fellow professional Wayne Phillips of Allentown, Pa., who carded an even-par 70. The two will now head off to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take part in the U.S. Senior Open Championship set for July 28-Aug. 3 at The Broadmoor.

  Farrow posted the low round of day with the help of some solid iron play that allowed him to fire in four birdies and make few costly mistakes.

  “I had no double bogeys, clubbed the ball well and played U.S. Open-style golf,” said the Marlton, N.J. pro who has played in two U.S. Open Championships and one PGA Championship. “I drove it well, played some good iron shots and hit some good wedges. The whole thing was good.”

  Farrow, who advanced to his first U.S. Senior Open Championship Tuesday, played the par 3s and 5s in 2-under par, with birdies on hole Nos. 2 (par 3, 213 yards), 5 (par 3, 145 yards) and 10 (par 3, 145 yards).

  “When I missed the greens I made those critical three-to-five footers to save par,” he said. “And the good shots I hit, I made those [putts] for birdie.”

  Phillips, the 22-year professional out of Lehigh CC, admitted to some difficulties with his ball striking but was able to get out of trouble with his putter.

  “I made just about every [putt] I looked at,” said Philips, who carded birdies on hole Nos. 4 (par 5, 505 yards), 6 (par 4, 417 yards), 8 (par 4, 417 yards), 14 (par 5, 561 yards) and 15 (par 4, 394 yards). “The flatstick really bailed me out today.”

  Tuesday’s even-par effort also gave Philips his first U.S. Senior Open Championship ticket.

  Added Farrow, “I’ve played in four majors so I know how much fun they are. It’s great and It’s kinda neat [to be in it].”

  The U.S. Senior Open dates back to 1980 on the East Course of Winged Foot Golf Club. The event is open to any professional or amateur with a Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4, who turns 50 on or before the first day of the championship. It is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

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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.