| At the U.S. Senior Open Final Qualifier |
- Miami Valley Golf Club hosted the final qualifier for the 46th U.S. Senior Open on Monday, June 1. Three players tied for medalist honors with a 4-under-par 67: Ben Crane, Cliff Kresge and amateur Jonathan Clark. Each of the medalists started their rounds with a front nine of 33 and would carry that momentum into the back nine. Crane is a five-time PGA Tour champion, including wins at the 2010 Famer's Insurance Open and the 2014 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Crane is also well-known for his involvement with the "Golf Boys" videos along with Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan. This year was Crane's first time playing in the U.S. Senior Open Final Qualifier and he attributed his success to his prior experience in major championships. Kresge, a Tennessee native, competed in the 2003 U.S. Open Championship where he tied for 10th. Kresge also has three victories on the Korn Ferry Tour and was exempt into this year's U.S. Senior Open Final Qualifier. Clark is an amateur from West Virginia and Marshall University Hall of Fame member who notched two wins at the West Virginia Open Championship in 2001 and 2012. Brandt Jobe claimed solo fourth with a score of 68 to qualify for the championship. Jobe was followed by amateur Bradford Kuester who placed fifth with a score of 69.  There was a 6-for-5 playoff to secure the final qualifying spots and the first alternate position. Another 5-for-1 playoff was held to determine the second alternate position.Mark Wilson, Rik Cramer, Doug Hanzel, Paul Wackerly and Craig Bowden qualified from the first playoff and will head to the championship. Tom Werkmeister is the first alternate and Sam Arnold is the second alternate. Head professional of Miami Valley Golf Club, Rik Cramer, secured a qualifying position into the championship via playoff with a score of 70, including back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15. Mark Knecht, an amateur from Paducah, Kentucky, recorded a hole-in-one on hole 13. A special thanks to Miami Valley Golf Club and staff for hosting the qualifier: Superintendent Mark Riley, Head Golf Professional Rik Cramer and Director of Catering and Events Mike Placke. The 46th U.S. Senior Open Championship will be held at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2-5. For Photos For Scores Course Statistics |
Miami Valley Golf is a mission-driven 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to uniting the community through foundational programs and initiatives. We support the game by providing handicapping services, course rating, and meaningful playing opportunities while championing philanthropic efforts like Youth on Course, High School Golf Stewardship, and Golf, My Future, My Game among many others. Our work focuses on advancing the game’s sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity, fostering wellness and community connection. As an Impact-First Charitable nonprofit, we are committed to transparency and ensuring golf’s enduring impact for current and future generations. For more, visit miamivalleygolf.org |
