Mangold and Dortch Qualify for U.S. Senior Amateur
St. Louis, MO - It was another brutally hot day in St. Louis for the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier at Glen Echo Country Club. 43 golfers from 10 states signed up to try their hand in the hopes of securing a place in the U.S. Senior Amateur. Two qualifying spots were up for grabs.
There were many players who looked like they had a chance to grab a hold of a qualifying spot throughout the day. Ron Mangold of Pocahontas, AR came out hot. On the front nine, Mangold was bogey free and carded three birdies. One last birdie and a double bogey on the back had Mangold finish the day two-under (-2) par. This was enough for Mangold to secure medalist honors as the top qualifier. This is Mangold’s second year in a row to qualify for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. Joseph Gullion of Spring, TX was in the second group of the day. With a birdie on Hole 8 and Hole 10, Gullion completed his round at one-over (+1) par. Gullion then had to sit and await his fate as the rest of the field came in. Darren Dortch of Dallas, TX had two birdies on the back nine, including one on 18 to finish his round strong. Dortch ended the day one-over (+1) par.
Once all the scores were in, Gullion and Dortch were faced with a playoff to decide who was going to get the final qualifying spot and who was going to settle for the first alternate. The pair returned to the first tee for the playoff. Dortch claimed the final qualifying spot on the first playoff hole, while Gullion was left as the first alternate. Matt McGrath of Des Peres, MO had an eagle on Hole 4 and a birdie on Hole 5 to be second alternate at two-over (+2) par.
Ron Mangold and Darren Dortch will play in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore, MD. Should someone not be able to make it to the championship, Joseph Gullion will be the first alternate and Matt McGrath will be the second alternate.