Jerry Mulubah, from Bethesda, shot the front nine in l under par, then ran off three successive birds in the middle of the back nine to finish with a 4-under-par 35-33–68 and earn the medal in a local U.S. Open qualifier at rainy Crofton Country Club, May 17.
Matt Bassler, from Baltimore, and Gary Carpenter, Jr., from Crofton and a member of the host club, also advanced in regulation play after shooting 69 and 70, respectively.
There was a six-man playoff at 71 for the four remaining qualifying places and two alternates. Scott Cruff, from Crofton and a club member, received a warm reception from the small gathering when he drained a 40-foot putt at the first playoff hole, No. 9. He was soon joined by Jared Goslee, Salisbury, and Ian Hildebrand, Purcellville, Va.
Brad Miller, Timonium, and Ji Soo Park, from the 1757 GC in Northern Virginia, made pars on the second go-round, while Wes Strang, Bethesda, was eliminated. Switching to the par-4 18th, both made pars, but when they switched back to No. 9 for the fourth extra hole, Miller two-putted for par and got the final berth after Park chipped long and missed his 20-foot par putt coming back.
Reported by: John Stewart