McNabb tops field at U.S. Open Qual. at Cavaliers CC

NEWARK, Del. – Dave McNabb, the head golf professional at Cavaliers CC (par 71, 6,608 yards) fired a 1-over par 71 on his home course Monday to earn medalist honors at a local qualifier for the U.S. Open Championship.

   McNabb, who celebrates his 43rd birthday tomorrow, topped a field of 54 players vying for three qualifying positions. He didn’t think he’d end the day in such a position, especially after double-bogeying No. 2 (par 4, 435 yards). After driving it to the middle of the fairway, McNabb used an 8-iron to make his approach, but hit the cart path and landed out-of-bounds.

   But McNabb, of Newark, Del., bounced right back and shot an eagle on No. 4 (par 5, 475 yards).

   “I had a nice tee shot there,” he said. “After that, I hit 5-wood right to the back fringe. I rolled that in for eagle. That was nice. It got me back to par.”

   McNabb went on to par Nos. 5 (par 3, 183 yards), 6 (par 4, 390 yards), 8 (par 4, 327 yards) and 9 (par 4, 360 yards). He made the turn at 1-over.

   “I figured if I could make two or three birdies on the back nine, I’d be good,” McNabb said. “In my mind, I’m thinking 2-under is set, 1-under might be OK, maybe even a playoff.”

   However, McNabb bogeyed Nos. 10 (par 4, 387 yards) and 13 (par 5, 577 yards) and approached No. 14 (par 4, 440 yards) at 3-over-par. He turned it around there by making par, and fired birdies on No. 16 (par 5, 511 yards) and 17 (par 4, 400 yards).

   “I kind of pride myself on when I’m down, trying to keep fighting,” McNabb said. “Obviously, that mentality was key there. I just tried to hang in there. I really thought I still needed to get in at even-par. But I gave myself a shot, and that’s all I could ask for.”

   McNabb didn’t necessarily feel that playing at home was advantageous.

   “On the one hand, I know the greens here. The greens are a little tricky. Some of them break opposite what they would look like or what you would expect, and they’re faster one way to the other in some spots that you wouldn’t know,” he said. “But from the same standpoint, I got so much pressure from the members. It kind of balances out, especially when you get off to a start like I did. You’re playing your home course, and you’re used to playing it well.”

   By topping Monday’s field at Cavaliers CC McNabb will make his third Sectionals appearance. He will now play at Woodmont CC in Rockland, Md. for the next stage of qualifying.

   Joining McNabb in the Sectionals will be amateur Buddy Reed of Wilmington, Del. and Jonathan Schoenfeld of Williamsburg Va., who advanced in a playoff. Amateur Tommy Ellison of Bethany Beach, Del. and Zachary Oakley of Lewes, Del. will serve as alternates.

   Schoenfeld, the head professional at Forts Mount CC in Williamsburg, Va., pumped his fist as he birdied on No. 2 in the playoff to earn a qualifying position. He grew up about 20 minutes from Bethpage Black, the site of this year’s U.S. Open.

   “I remember sleeping in the car, waking up at 4 a.m. just to play Bethpage,” Schoenfeld said. “That’s the only reason why I’m here. I want to play Bethpage.”

   Schoenfeld, 25, felt that he played well in regulation, but didn’t take advantage of a few opportunities.

   “I left a couple out there,” he said. “I hit it in the right rough. I hit a 9-iron about 2-feet. I missed a 2-foot putt for birdie on No. 17. I yanked the heck out of it. I didn’t even sniff the cup. Of course, I come in and go to the practice green. I’m closing my eyes and picturing my name at 73.

   “But overall, I’m smiling right now. You got to shake it off.”

   Prior to Monday’s qualifying event, Schoenfeld claims that he hadn’t hit a driver on a driving range for quite some time.

   “I don’t play a whole lot of golf,” he said.

   Like McNabb, Schoenfeld will move on to Rockland, Md. in the next stage of qualifying.