Headline: Andover's Rob Oppenheim Caps Off State Open Qualifying With a Sizzling Score at Indian Ridge CC
For Immediate Release: May 28, 2009
Andover, MA — Former Massachusetts State Amateur Champion Rob Oppenheim (Orlando, MA) made a statement this afternoon when he fired a sizzling 4-under par 68 during day five of Massachusetts Open Qualifying held at Indian Ridge Country Club.
The Andover native who turned professional in September of 2002 began his round unceremoniously as he made two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine to make the turn at even par 36. His home course knowledge – the Oppenheim family lives on the third hole – came through on the back nine as Oppenheim made birdie on four of his final five holes.
Oppenheim finished one shot better than fellow Floridian and former Elon College standout Jimmy Lytle (Ocean Ridge, FL) and two shots ahead of former amateur standout turned professional Jason Parajeckas (Pleasant Valley CC). A total of 14 amateurs also advanced today… one of whom was Jordan Burke (Needham GC) who scored the shot of the day when he made a hole in one on the 135-yard, par 3 16th hole. Burke went on to post a score of 2-over par 74.
"I was playing OK but I wasn’t making any putts," said Oppenheim, who competed on the Hooters Tour last season and also played several Canadian Tour events. "I made a 20-footer on [hole] 14, made another putt on 15 and hit it close on 16 and was on my way."
Finding greens and making putts is something that Oppenheim is very familiar with as he has made a name for himself both locally and nationally for his consistent play. In 1999, he advanced to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur Championship held in Pebble Beach (CA). Here in the Bay State, the now 29 years old Oppenheim captured the 2002 Massachusetts Amateur Championship. He also won the Massachusetts Father & Son Championship that year with his father Jim. He went on to a stellar collegiate career at Rollins College where he was a four-time All-American and was named the 2002 NCAA Division II Player of the Year after leading his team to the national championship.
As a professional player, he has played events on several tours including the PGA, Nationwide, Canadian, Hooters, Cleveland, New England, Tar Heel, and Moonlight.
For the past few months, Oppenheim has been working on his game in Orlando where he now resides and has been competing on the Moonlight Golf Tour in preparation for the summer season. Thus far in 2009, Oppenheim has picked up six first-place finishes on that developmental tour and is coming off an impressive score of 6-under par 66 at U.S. Open Local Qualifying held at the Disney Magnolia Course in Orlando.
While his game has always been solid (he was the leading money winner and Player of the Year on the Cleveland Tour in 2005), Oppenheim credits his recent work with Tom Garner, an instructor at Bay Hill Club & Lodge and the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy.
"I went through a stretch where I was working with a bunch of guys, but I finally committed to [Tom] and have been playing better," said Oppenheim, who connected with Tom Garner while at Rollins College where Tom’s wife Julie is the women’s golf coach.
Nothing could quite prepare Oppenheim for his round today as he was one of 72 golfers who braved the cold and rainy conditions in Andover.
"Being down in Orlando, I’m not used to playing in weather like this," said Oppenheim, who noted that the players battled a cold drizzle all day long. "I grew up playing on this course but it played as long and hard as ever."
Oppenheim will spend a few more days at home in Andover before traveling to Maryland for a Nationwide event qualifier and then back to Orlando to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying on June 8. Before that time, however, he will look to sneak in a round at Belmont Country Club, the host of the 100th Massachusetts Open Championship and a layout that is foreign to Oppenheim.
"I’ve never played the course but I have heard great things about it," said Oppenheim, who looks forward to staying at home next month while he battles for his third MGA championship title. "It’s always good to be home."
Now that all five days of qualifying has been concluded, the 150-player field for the 100th playing of the Massachusetts Open Championship is now set. Starting times and pairings will be made available shortly and will be posted on the MGA’s official web site at www.MGAlinks.org.
2009 Massachusetts Open Qualifying
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Indian Ridge Country Club (Andover, MA)
Par 72 (36-36)
Qualifiers
1) Rob Oppenheim (Orlando, FL) 36-32--68
2) Jimmy Lytle (Ocean Ridge, FL) 33-36--69
3) Jason Parajeckas Pleasant Valley CC) 36-34--70
4) a-Ian Thimble (George Wright GC) 39-33--72
T5) a-Colin Brennan (Indian Ridge CC) 36-37--73
T5) a-Matt Dunn (Wachusett CC) 38-35--73
T7) a-Josh Salah (Bass Rocks GC) 36-38--74
T7) a-Jordan Burke (Needham GC) 37-37--74
T9) a-David Gosselin Jr (Vesper CC) 36-39--75
T9) Russell Lipinski (Arlington, MA) 35-40--75
T9) a-Dan McQueen (Bellevue GC) 37-38--75
T9) a-Nick Coon (Andover CC) 37-38--75
T13) a-Chase Lovett-Woodsum (Boston GC) 37-39--76
T13) Todd Cook (The Milton-Hoosic Club) 35-41--76
T13) Jesse Larson (Mendon, VT) 36-40--76
T13) a-Douglas Parigian (Long Meadow GC) 36-40--76
T13) a-Bernard Cantwell (Bradford CC) 38-38--76
T13) a-Ryan Sillery (Granite Links GC) 36-40--76
T13) a-Eddie Ryan (Winchester CC) 39-37--76
20) a-John Gilmartin (Indian Ridge CC) 35-42--77
Alternates
1st) Jeff Cox (Ferncroft CC) 41-36--77
2nd) a-Paul Murphy (Charles River CC) 34-43--77
