Texter tops U.S. Open Qual. at Trump National — Philadelphia

  PINE HILL, N.J. — When Jarred Texter noticed Thursday’s forecast, he smiled. Harsh winds set the scene in a U.S. Open Local Qualifier administered by the Golf Association of Philadelphia at a long and difficult Trump National Golf Club — Philadelphia (par 71, 7,113 yards). Texter reveled in the conditions and posted a 2-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors.

  Also advancing were David Quinn, General Manager at Links Golf Club; Christopher Gray, an assistant professional at Old York Road Country Club at Chesterfield; Max Marsico, an amateur who resides in Las Vegas, Nev.; David Sanders, a professional who competes in mini-tour events in Florida, and Michael Tobiason, Jr., a teaching professional at Applecross Country Club. The 112th U.S. Open will be held June 14-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.

   “I was actually happy they were calling for some wind,” Texter, 26, of Millersville, Pa., said. “I seem to focus on shots more when it’s windy. It forces you to hit good shots. I knew if it was going to be perfect today, then even par would get through. It’s just too penalizing off the tee, and not in a bad way. You have to hit it straight. If you’re not, it can be a long day.”

  Texter, a professional who calls Crossgates Golf Club and Conestoga Country Club home, fired three birdies and an eagle to counter three bogeys. On No. 5 (par 3, 202 yards), he stopped a 3-iron at 35 feet and converted aleft-to-right breaker for birdie. Texter smashed a 3-wood 240 yards and missed the par 5, 575-yard No. 7 green left. A soft chip left Texter with a manageable five-footer for birdie, which he executed. He kept the red figures rolling on No. 10 (par 4, 475 yards), knocking a wedge 121 yards to three feet. Texter crushed a 3-iron 230 yards downwind to 25 feet below the No. 14 (par 5, 540 yards) flagstick and drained the eagle putt.

  After his drive on No. 18 (par 4, 410 yards) camped among the right trees, Texter chipped onto the fairway, reached the green on his third stroke and two-putted. A pair of missed greens on Nos. 3 (par 4, 364 yards) and 8 (par 3, 213 yards) resulted in bogeys as well.

  Texter commutes between Millersville and the Carolinas for competitive golf purposes. He’s played in eight e-golf pro events, made five cuts and posted two Top 10 finishes.

   “I’m about breaking even money-wise. It’s pretty expensive,” he said.

  Thanks to his effort Thursday, Texter advanced to Sectionals for the fourth time. He’s never surpassed that level, but is optimistic about his prospects at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. June 4.

   “It’s a great course, real old-fashioned and tree-lined,” Texter said. “Every year I’ve played it, [a score of] 5 under gets through, so you don’t have to really tear it up. You just have to play solid and make birdies when you can.”

  Quinn, the 2006 GAP Open Champion, carded a 1-under-par 70 to place second. He hit 16 greens in regulation on the day.

“I was never in any danger the whole day. I never got too aggressive with it,” Quinn, 46, of Marlton, N.J., said.

  Quinn has advanced Sectional qualifying nine times, his most recent occurring two years ago. He is scheduled to head to Canoe Brook CC in Summit, N.J. on June 4.

  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 145 Member Clubs and 57,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.