2012 US Open Qualifier

2012 US OPEN SECTIONAL QUALIFIER at LAKE MERCED GOLF CLUB on June 4 is here. A diverse field of 130 players will be competing for 7 spots for admission to golf's toughest major at nearby Olympic Club. With a field this large, neighboring Harding Park will share the honors in hosting the qualifier. Each player will have a tee time scheduled on both courses for the 36-hole Monday event.

The southwest corner of San Francisco has arguably the best quartet of independent challenging golf courses in the country: Olympic Club -- the Lake course, Lake Merced Golf Club, Harding Park, and San Francisco Golf Club. They are located within a couple of miles of each other. You can stand on the elevated tee of one of the par-three holes at the Olympic Ocean course and see all four competition courses spread out before you. The western half of San Francisco forms a gorgeous backdrop to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West is nearly at your back. When the afternoon sun burns off the morning fog, the views are spectacular.

The courses at LMGC and Harding have hosted their share of pro tournaments over the years, with Lake Merced hosting a men's US Open qualifier nearly every other year.  At the last qualifier held at LMGC, a score of 4 under after 36 holes put a cluster of competitors on the road to Torrey Pines. Likewise, when more than 50 of the best players in the world played at Harding in the American Express tournament, a score of 10 under sent John Daly and Tiger Woods into extra holes and one of the most memorable tournaments we've seen.  Nobody beats these courses up. 

LMGC and Harding have a feel that's similar to Olympic and SF Golf Club while retaining unique qualities that make the courses stand apart as distinct experiences. To put it in perspective, each course is a Northern California masterpiece with classic design features that have stood the test of time. The layouts fit the terrain to perfection, and no housing developments intrude on the pristine golf vistas. These courses have a big bold quality to them with unique ways of drawing you in and challenging you to play your best.

Players who make the select qualifying group of six will do it because they have a complete game. Bomb-and-gouge does not work as a strategy here. Understanding the optimum shot placment on each hole will be needed. And putting talents will be put to the test at LMGC where the undulating greens require both technical skills and careful reads to track the dominant slope interactions on each hole. We've posted our perspectives on many of the LMGC holes here on our website along with the ways we like to play them. We'll be watching the competition at our favorite holes -- and taking notes.