West Chester’s Reyes heads U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Hartefeld National

  AVONDALE, Pa.–Bryant Reyes of West Chester, Pa., posted a magnificent 3-under-par 69 at a windswept Hartefeld National (par 72, 6,863 yards) on Thursday to earn medallist honors in a local qualifier for the U.S. Open Championship. Reyes, 23, and six others advanced to U.S. Open sectional qualifying set for May 30 and June 6-7 at 14 nationwide sites.

This local qualifier (field of 115 players, 53 pros, 62 amateurs) was one of 107, 18-hole local qualifiers for the U.S. Open Championship that will be played June 16-19 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

  A total of 96 spots for the championship field will be divided amongst the various sectional qualifiers. A field of 156 players will compete in the U.S. Open.

  Reyes, who moved to the area just 2½ weeks ago from Pleasanton, Calif., carded four birdies and a bogey. The recent San Jose University graduate carded under-par scores on No. 5 (par 5, 534 yards) and No. 6 (par 3, 198 yards) to make the turn at 2-under-par 34. A stray tee ball on No. 14 (par 3, 174 yards) resulted in a bogey but Reyes bounced right back on the 15^th hole by draining a 25-foot uphill birdie.

  “The biggest key today was switching to the 3-wood off the tee,” said Reyes. “I hit only five drivers all day. Under pressure it is easier to hit that club than the driver.”

  Reyes, a member of Hartefeld National, moved East to be with his family. His father is a vice-president for State Farm Insurance at its Concordville office.

  This is Reyes’ second time as an U.S. Open Local Qualifier medallist and fourth trip to Sectionals. However, he has never advanced past the next stage.

  Reyes was a two-time high school All-American in California and was ranked in the top 150 collegially his final two years. However, Reyes said his game has not been what he’s wanted it to be since his a left wrist injury start troubling him his sophomore season. After graduating in December, Reyes said he took a break to rehab his ailment. Now, he’s working 40 hours a week on the game.He plans on competing in a number of Golf Association of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Golf Association events before deciding whether he will travel to PGA Tour Qualifying School later in the year.

  Reyes chose Canoe Brook CC in Summit, N.J. as his sectional site.

  Rutter, a member of Berkleigh CC, will be making his first sectional appearance. The sophomore-to-be at High Point University in High Point, N.C., recorded the most memorable back nine (holes 1-9, he started on the front) of the qualifier with a 6-under-par 30. He registered birdies on his final five holes, and six of his final eight, including a 15-foot downhill chance on No. 9 (par 3, 223 yards, his 18^th hole), to advance.

  “After a front side 42, I was just trying to make a respectable score,” said Rutter. “Even then, I didn’t think a 72 was going to be good enough to make it.”

  Rutter, who will travel to Canoe Brook, said that was the first time he’s ever recorded five straight birdies.

  Moses and White will also be making their first sectional appearances.

  Moses heads to Canoe Brook and White will travel to the Rockville, Md., site.

  Quinn, too, heads to Canoe Brook where he’ll look to qualify for the championship field proper. This will be his eighth attempt. Paris has made the sectional a dozen times and, too, will look for his initial U.S. Open bid at Canoe Brook.

  Bradshaw will be making his second Sectional appearance at Sections. He’ll attempt to make the U.S. Open field at Woodmont CC/Chevy Chase Club at the Rockville site.