MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2001

The final day of 36-hole qualifying was held at Walpole CC and Indian Ridge CC on Tuesday. Rob Oppenheim (Andover, MA) put on a clinic at his home course of Indian Ridge CC, posting a 10-under par 134. The Rollins College standout finished four strokes ahead of second-place finisher and 2001 New England Amateur Champion Craig Steckowych (Greenland, NH). Duke Delcher (Bluffton, SC) was the final qualifier with an even par 144.

Fresh off his victory at the Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament this past weekend, Frank Vana, Jr. (Shrewsbury, MA) was the low scorer at Walpole CC with a 3-under par 139. Alan Stearns (Cambridge, MA) finished three strokes behind, while Christopher Rousseau (Springfield, MA) claimed the final qualifying spot with a 1-over par 143. Qualifying favorite Brent Wanner (South Chatham, MA) was in perfect position to capture the final spot but made bogey on the final two holes of play to finish as the first alternate.

In Monday's qualifying action at Brattleboro CC, Larry Nuger (Longmeadow, MA), finalist at the 2000 Mass Amateur, was the low scorer, finishing at 6-under par 136. Jesse Smith (Barrington, NH) and William Link IV (Acton, MA) filled out the remaining two qualifying spots

U.S. Amateur Qualifying - Walpole, MA
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Walpole CC
Par 142 (71-71)

Qualifiers:
1 Frank Vana, Jr. (Shrewsbury, MA) 68-71--139
2 Alan Stearns (Cambridge, MA) 70-72--142
3 Christopher Rousseau (Springfield, MA) 72-71--143

Alternates:
1 Alt Brent Wanner (South Chatham, MA) 73-71--144
2 Alt Ryan Bates (Ashland, MA) 72-74--146
3 Alt Tele Wightman (Chicopee, MA) 75-71--146
4 Alt Steven Tasho (North Easton, MA) 75-72--147

U.S. Amateur Qualifying - Andover, MA
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Indian Ridge CC
Par 144 (72-72)

Qualifiers:
1 Robert J Oppenheim (Andover, MA) 66-68--134
2 Craig Steckowych (Greenland, NH) 69-69--138
3 Duke Delcher (Bluffton, SC) 74-70--144

Alternates:
1 Alt Douglas Parigian (Lowell, MA) 75-70--145
2 Alt Paul Murphy (Arlington, MA) 72-74--146
3 Alt Jay Livingston (Hermon, ME) 74-72--146
4 Alt David Bennett (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) 73-73--146