Queenstown, MD. – Local Qualifying for the 101st Maryland Amateur and 101st Maryland Open was held Tuesday, May 17th, at Queenstown Harbor-River Course. The par 72 course was played at 6,764 yards and was administered by the Maryland State Golf Association.
Tuesday was a miraculous day for golf, with temperatures reaching up into the 80s. The wind was consistently flowing through the river course as the 13mph winds were enough to keep the golfers on their toes and cause tough decisions to be made. Brad Riley (Norbeck CC) and Jacob Ferrari (Holly Hills CC) were locked in as they shot the low rounds of the event, a 2-under-par 70. Brad Riley came out the gate, firing away as he made three birdies in his first five holes. Jacob Ferrari put together a respectable bogey-free round while making two birdies on the day. Both gentlemen have claimed their spots in the Amateur and Open after overcoming Queenstown.
Over 133 golfers competed on the day to try and qualify to play in the Maryland State Amateur being held on June 9-12 at Argyle or/and the Maryland State Open being held July 11-13 at Manor Country Club. The stakes were high, with 111 golfers trying to qualify for the Am (26 spots plus ties) and 92 golfers trying to qualify for the Open (20 spots plus ties). The wind, thick rough, and the endless amount of penalty areas gave the golfers a challenge to earn their spots. These conditions were a huge factor as only five players shot under par, all qualifying for both the Am and the Open.
Once all scores were turned in, it was announced that the cut for the Am was 4-over-par (76). There were seven people tied for 24th, bringing the final number of qualifiers for the Am to 30. The cut for the Open was 2-over-par (74) as exactly 20 players qualified, with six players tied for 15th.
About the Maryland State Golf Association
Founded in 1921, the Maryland State Golf Association fulfills its constitutional mandate by promoting the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions; sponsoring and conducting state tournaments as well as USGA qualifying rounds each year; educating and informing Maryland golfers about changes in the Rules of Golf; fostering respect for the game of golf as well as its Rules; and awarding scholarships.
