May 18, 2015
Five players got a step closer to playing in this year’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay after advancing through an 18-hole local qualifier held Monday at par-72 Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno.
Professional John Chin of Temecula led the field with a medalist-earning 6-under 66 that featured six birdies and zero bogeys.
Also moving on were fellow pros Nick Delio of Valencia and Weston Payne of Menlo Park, who finished as co-runner-ups at 70. Along with Delio and Payne, amateur Richard Gilkey of Bakersfield also grabbed a share of second place with a 70. Delio is a former All-American at Cal State-Northridge.
The lone Northern California player to advance through the qualifier was amateur James Yoon, who shot a 71. Yoon played at Cal-Berkeley each of the last two years but is not on the current roster.
Four players came in at 71 forcing a playoff for the first and second alternate spots. Amateur Matt Lee of Arizona claimed the first alternate spot, with Michael Pugh of Temecula securing the second alternate spot.
A Sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open will be held June 8 at Newport Beach CC and Big Canyon CC in Southern California.
