45th U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying Co-Medalists Rij Patel and Tracy Vallandingham
Germantown, Md. – The Maryland State Golf Association hosted qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur on Monday, August 17, at Bretton Woods Recreation Center. Three players qualified for the 45th U.S. Mid-Amateur set to be held at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis., this fall.
Rij Patel of Hunt Valley, Md., and Tracy Vallandingham of California, Md., ended the day with co-medalist honors after each posted rounds of three-under-par 67.
After a back-and-forth front nine that included two birdies against two bogeys, Patel made the turn at even-par. Catching fire on the back nine, Patel carded three birdies to finish his round at three-under-par 67, and a share of medalist honors.
Vallandingham opened his round with a birdie on the 2nd and remained steady until a bogey on the 8th set him back briefly. After making the turn, he carded four birdies against one bogey to finish the day at three-under-par 67 and a qualifying spot.
William Peel IV of Kensington, Md., and Nicklaus Harrington of Washington, D.C., each posted rounds of one-under-par 69, leading to a playoff to decide who would take the final qualifying spot. Both players remained tied through two playoff holes, but Peel’s par on the par-3 16th hole secured him the final qualifying spot. Harrington was awarded the first alternate position.
Six players tied at even-par 70, but only five competed for the final alternate position, leading to a 5-for-1 playoff. David Dustin of Alexandria, Va., Jon McClements of Alexandria, Va., Chris Wiedel of Bel Air, Md., Julian Gonzalez Perez of Baltimore, Md., and Tyden Wilson of Bethesda, Md., teed up on the par-4 1st hole to determine the outcome. Dustin fired off a swift birdie while the four remaining players made par, allowing him to secure second alternate status.
After making it through qualifying at Bretton Woods Recreation Center, Patel, Vallandingham, and Peel will turn their attention to the 45th U.S. Mid-Amateur at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis., September 26 to October 1.
The MSGA would like to thank the staff and members of Bretton Woods for their hospitality in hosting this USGA championship qualifier.
MSGA Mission
To serve, grow, and advance the game of golf in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
