Ben Shields, from Hunt Valley Country Club, returned a 3-under-par 34-34–68, and it held up for the low score in both the Amateur and Open Qualifying, as the Maryland State Golf Association conducted its third Amateur/Open qualifying event on May 6 at Mount Pleasant Golf Course.
Shields was followed by four players who shot two-under-par 69 to round out the top 5 in the Amateur Qualifying: Jan Jedlicka (Pine Ridge Golf Course), Aaron Sorkin (Caves Valley Golf Club), Jason Park (Cattail Creek Country Club), and Jackson Geyer (Winter’s Run Golf Club). Three other players also shot one-under-par 70; Mike O’Neil (Baltimore Country Club), Mike Filler (Mountain Branch Golf Club), and Lorenzo Sanz (Hayfields Country Club).
The low Professional on the day was John Kalavritinos, from Congressional Country Club at one-under-par 70. Kalavritinos made two birdies and one bogey on the front nine; and had a clean card on the back nine.
There were 17 places and ties available for the Amateurs, and 19 players at 74 and better will move on. 14 spots and ties were available for the Open, and 15 players were at 73 and better. The Amateur will be played June 6-9 at Manor Country Club, with Kevin Grady, of Rolling Road Country Club, shooting for a seventh MSGA victory. The Open will be July 8-10 at Tablot Country Club in Easton, where Ryan Siegler, of Baltimore Country Club, will be the defending champion.
