PGA Tour player and New Jersey native Jim McGovern fell short of making through local qualifying for the U.S.
Open yesterday at Haworth Golf Club. McGovern shot a 2-over par 72 to earn second alternate. The four qualifying spots went to Eugene Smith (68), who can currently be seen competing on Golf Channel’s Big Break, Brian Gaffney, the head pro at Rumson, Michael Brice of Tennessee and John Stoltz, in a playoff with 2008 Ike champ Kevin Foley. They advance to Sectional Qualifying at Old Oaks and Century June 8. The 10th annual LIFE Event was held at Ridgewood Country Club today, where the hot-putting media team, paired with Laura Diaz, finished second with a 12-under par 60 in a full scramble. The day is about far more than golf. Organized and run with unbridled passion by former LPGA Tour player Val Skinner, who lost her good friend Heather Far, to breast cancer, it helped contribute over $3 million to eradicate the disease in its first nine years.
A total of 28 LPGA players pitched in to make a difference today. The presentations are truly moving and the honorees are inspirational. The public doesn’t generally hear about this kind of charity work but it’s part of what makes professional golf great.