Gray, Pelet, Robertson top GOGC Open Qualifier

  FLEETWOOD, Pa.– Christopher Gray, a professional who splits his time between Hartefeld National and the North Carolina-based Tarheel Tour, John Michael Pelet, an amateur out of Wyncote GC, and Robert Robertson, the 2007 GAP Junior Boys’ runner-up out of Sunnybrook GC, earned tri-medallist honors with 5-under-par 67s at the Open Championship Qualifier at Golden Oaks GC (par 72, 7,106 yards) Wednesday to join 12 others in advancing to the field of 72 for 103^rd Open Championship set for Aug. 6 at the historic East Course of Merion GC.

And although each player turned in the same scores, each followed their own different path to their field low rounds.

  Gray, who said he took time off from his first season on the Tarheel Tour just for this chance to play in the Open, carded six birdies and one bogey to finish tied atop the field.

  “That’s the only reason I took off this week,” said the pro out of Hartefeld National. “It was to try to get into Merion.”

  “I’m thrilled,” said Pelet of his return to Merion GC. “The goal in these things is just to get through [it]. It’s great if you can shoot well but that’s a bonus.”

  Added Pelet, “The idea is to go out there and not make too many mistakes. I think I did a pretty good job of that today and managed my way around the course.”

  Robertson, who comes off a win at last week’s 22nd Francis X. Hussey Memorial Championship and a second-place finish at the 93^rd Junior Boys’ Championship the week before that, carded five birdies on the day but managed to string together the only bogey free round of the tri-medallists.

  “I got off to a fast start,” said Robertson who birdied three of the first five holes with a solid putting game. “Once I got on the green, my distance [on my putts] was always good.”

  But when he came to No. 9 (par 3, 213 yards), his bogey-free round was in jeopardy as he sent his shot off the cart path and into the bushes behind the green. From there, Robertson was forced to take a drop but was able to get up-and-down for par and continue his sub-par round.

  “That could have gone either way and I could have easily made double [bogey],” Robertson said. “That just kept me going.”

  Roberston now heads off to play Merion GC for only his second time.

  “I’m pumped,” said the co-captain of the Chestnut Hill Academy golf team on playing Merion GC. “I’m playing pretty confident right now, especially on the greens with my putter. I’m rolling it well.”

  Gray, who has yet to play the famous Ardmore, Pa. course, was given some advise from a couple friends who played in the 2005 U.S. Amateur at Merion.

  “‘It’s brutal. Hit fairways’ they said to me,” Gray said. “That’s one of my strong points and I can roll it most of the time so I’m looking forward to it.”

  This is the first year the Golf Association of Philadelphia will solely administer the Open Championship and its qualifiers. The field of 72 players will be comprised of 29 exempt entrants and 43 qualifiers. The remaining qualifier is scheduled for July 16 at Little Mill CC (12 qualifying positions). The Open Championship will have a record purse of $40,000.

  Dave Quinn, the director of golf at Links GC, is the defending champion. Quinn defeated then Philadelphia CC assistant Michael Ladden in a four-hole playoff.

  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 135 Member Clubs and 60,000 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.