Gaus' final-round 66 puts him in U.S. Open field 
St. Louis teaching professional Bob Gaus will be making his second appearance in the U.S. Open later this month, thanks to a second-round 5-under 66 at Boone Valley Golf Club Monday.
Gaus fired a 36-hole total of even par, 142, to edge 29-year-old St. Joseph, Mo., amateur Brad Nurski (72-71-143).
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For Gaus, his Monday afternoon rally included seven birdies and bogey on the 6,954-yard par 71 layout. Gaus' 66 was the day's only under par round and nearly 10 shots better than the course average on Monday.
It also meant that one of the top players in the history of the Gateway PGA will be making a return trip to the national championship after an 18-year hiatus. A three-time qualifier for the PGA Championship, Gaus last played in the national championship in 1990 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
After a lackluster 76 in his morning round, Gaus found the Boone Valley greens more to his liking in the afternoon 18. "I didn't make a putt in the morning, and made everything I looked at in the afternoon," Gaus said with a wry smile. "It's as simple as that. Did I make any changes between rounds? Nope. Just go play golf. It's funny, but that's how it goes in this game."
One of his birdies included a 40-footer at the par-3 16th, the last of a three-hole run of birdies early in his final round.
Nurski (left), a former mini-tour player who regained his amateur status several years ago, enjoyed a two-shot lead heading into the afternoon 18. He thought his 1-over par performance was going to be enough to advance. He learned heading up the final fairway that Gaus had posted a 142 and that a birdie at the difficult par-4 18th would be needed to force a playoff. Nurski's approach pulled up 22 feet short of the flagstick and his birdie effort came up short to allow Gaus to earn the lone qualifying spot.
Travis Stockholm, a mini-tour professional from Springfield, S.D., shot 76-71-147 to finish third in the field of 17 golfers seeking to earn one spot in the field at the 108th U.S. Open, June 12-15 at Torrey Pines Golf Club in San Diego.
Edwardsville pro Mike Suhre shot 77-72-149 to tie for fourth. Other St. Louis area finishers included 2006 U.S. Amateur runner-up John Kelly (75-77-152), former PGA Tour winner Trevor Dodds (76-79-156), Norwood Hills amateur John Anderson (81-77-158) and Old Warson amateur Ross Millman (75-83-158).
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HOST CLUB
The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, on behalf of the USGA, wish to thank Boone Valley Golf Club, its members and staff, for their contribution in hosting the 108th U.S. Open Championship Sectional Qualifying.
PHOTO: MAGA President Emeritus Stan Grossman (right) presents a USGA proclamation to Boone Valley General Manager Alan Clarke.