Mcgovern, Hoit, Studer In The Mix At U.S. Senior Open
Jim McGovern of Whigte Beeches carded a 1-over-par 71 on his first round while amateur Roger Hoit of Summit, N.J.., was 3-over and Brent Studer of Metdeconk National at 5-over after the opening round of the 2015 U.S. Senior Open. Legendary Tom Watson was at 4-under-par and leading the field of 156 golfers.at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento.
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The 2015 U.S Senior Open will be played beginning Thursday at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, Calif. Players from across the world, including three from New Jersey, will compete in this prestigious event.
Three New Jersey golfers have qualified for the prestigious four-day event. Brent Studer of Metedeconk National Golf Club qualified at Arcola Country Club May, 21 alongside fellow New Jerseyans Roger Hoit, an amateur from Summit and former PGA Tour player Jim McGovern of White Beeches, who turned 50 this year.
The trio qualified in a field of 138 at Arcola at the U.S. Senior Open Sectional Qualifying Round.
On May 21, chilly temperatures and strong winds prevailed throughout the day, but six competitors were still able to shoot under par rounds. Four of them tied for the low qualifying round of the day, amateur Roger Hoit of Summit, N.J., Jim McGovern of Oradell, N.J., Fran Marrello of Plymouth, Conn. and Brent Studer of Manasquan, N.J. each carded a 2-under 70 to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open.
Thursday’s tee times are McGovern at 7 a.m., Hoit at 8:34 a.m., and Studer at 8:45 a.m.
Hoit’s round started off slow, going 1-over through five holes, but he was able to finish 3-under on the final 13 holes thanks to birdies on 7, 8, and 9, and nine straight pars on the back for his 2-under 70.
Studer on the other hand got hot late in the round, after being 1-over through 13 holes he caught fire and birdied three in a row on 14, 15, and 16 en route to his 2-under round.
McGovern’s day featured five birdies and three bogeys, also with a stretch of three straight birdies on his back nine. The White Beeches head pro just turned 50 this past February and will be competing in his first U.S. Senior Open.
Hoit has seen a lot of action in the New Jersey circuit. Out of Baltusrol Golf Club, Hoit was the runner-up at the 2007 NJSGA Amateur Championship, member of the 2007 Compher Cup Team, and 2007 Stoddard Cup Team member.
McGovern is the 1993 Shell Houston Open Champion. A playoff win at Metuchen Golf & Country Club for the 2015 NJSGA Senior Open may boost his moral going into such a big field in late June. He's won the New Jersey PGA Head Pro Championship and the New Jersey Senior Open, and is coming off a win last week at the inaugural NJPGA Senior Match Play Championship.
Last summer, McGovern played in the PGA Championship. It was his first major since the 2002 U.S. Open, and at 49 years old, he was one of the oldest in the field.
The change in age group could make a difference for McGovern. He won't have to try to muscle it on big golf courses. Del Paso C.C. will play at a maximum of just under 7,000 yards this week.
"I keep telling my friends … [and] everyone else: 'Fifty's the new 30,' " McGovern said. "Yes I still hit it not very far. I hit it pretty straight. But like I say, if I can drive it straight, keep it in the fairway and control my golf ball, I've got a chance."
More recently, Studer tied for eighth at the 2015 NJSGA Senior Open and in 2011 made a promising appearance at the NJSGA Open Championship, where he tied for fourth.
Studer captured his first New Jersey PGA major title in six years by winning the NJPGA Charity Clambake in 2014 at Rockaway River.
"I’ve been really struggling with shoulder problems, back problems, neck problems," said Studer, 50.
"I’ve just learned to swing it a little easier," said Studer, a Manasquan resident who drives it straighter than he does long, "and it worked."
In 2014, Colin Montgomerie rallied in a playoff to take the crown as U.S Senior Open Champion. This year, he will look to repeat his victory, but notable PGA players like 1992 Masters Champion, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Fred Funk, and more.
The U.S Senior Open is a prestigious event, with players that have had experience in multiple Masters to PGA Championships, and players that have had great success internationally and regionally. Del Paso Country Club will be reaching a total 6,994 yards and will host a field of 156 professional and amateur players.
