'I know where it can lead'
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
LINCOLN – Dylan Gallagher claimed he did not realize he was sporting an Oakmont hat during his U.S. Open Local Qualifying round Tuesday at Kirkbrae Country Club. Either way, it's a safe bet he will be wearing it again soon.
Gallagher, along with Jimmy Hervol, Kevin Blaser, Rich Berberian and Bryson Richards, all shot 4-under 68 to advance to Final Qualifying, which is an all-out, 36-hole grind for an opportunity to compete in the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
"I've never made it to Final Qualifying and I've heard Canoe Brook is a great place, which is hopefully where I'm going to go," said Gallagher, who is on the men's golf team at Bryant University. "I live in New York City, so it's nice to go back home and I have two weeks to prepare. It means a lot."
His caddie and Bulldog teammate Tyler Dupuis qualified for the 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship in 2023, so he understands the challenges of local qualifiers.
"He kept me level-headed and we knew what number we had to be at, so we went at some pins and we knew I needed a couple of birdies coming in. His experience with these qualifiers was pretty big," Gallagher said.
Experience was a key factor Tuesday at Kirkbrae CC. Hervol, a native of Hopkinton, Mass., qualified for the 121st U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
"Like any other experience, it all helps. Whenever you can dumb it down, keep it simple and try not to get ahead of yourself, good things tend to happen . . . it would be incredible to get (to Oakmont)," he said. Torrey Pines "was awesome, an unreal week with great memories. I didn't play very well, so I would love to get back (to a U.S. Open) and try to get some revenge."
Like every golfer, Hervol always has these qualifiers circled on the calendar with hopes of reaching the U.S. Open. With his performance Tuesday, he's one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal.
"I'm super excited about it and I know where it can lead," he said of Final Qualifying.
Richards recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island, and while he "loved" his time there, he understands this opportunity to advance has the potential to lead to something special.
"It's great, but I haven't thought that far ahead yet," he said. "I'm just happy to get through today. I'm excited to find out where I'm playing next and get to work."
It helped he started with back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11 and finished 34-34 – 68.
"I knew I had to get a couple (of birdies)," he said. "I had some good opportunities early and was able to convert. There were a few holes that were pretty tough down the stretch, so I just tried to hang on a little bit. I didn't want to play too conservative because you can make some mistakes that way. I just tried to stick to my game plan and make some good, solid pars coming in."
Every player in the field was impressed with Kirkbrae Country Club. Conditions were perfect and the weather was a plus, too.
"It was great, a great layout," Gallagher said. "The pins were in some tough spots and the course is in great shape. I really enjoyed the day."
Richards concurred.
"It's always great here," he said. "I've played here a couple of times, and the greens are always great this time of year and I hope we keep coming back."
Hervol said the overall conditions were great, especially given the time of year.
"Greens were great, had a little more speed to them, they rolled great and weather was perfect. It was awesome," he said.
Berberian attempted to qualify here last season and was thrilled Kirkbrae hosted once again.
"It's awesome," he said. "It's gettable but you have to be careful. Hopefully it's a spot they keep for a while so we can keep coming back here."