PORTLAND, Ore. --- Former Portland Pilots men’s golfer Mike McCabe will compete at a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier on Monday at Columbia Edgewater Country Club for a chance to advance to the 2010 U.S. Open. McCabe, who has recently competed on the Nationwide Tour, reached the sectionals by firing a one-under par 71 at a local qualifier in Westlake Village, Calif., in May.
48 golfers will play 36 holes at Monday’s qualifier, which happens to be at McCabe’s home collegiate course.
“This couldn’t set up any better for me,” said McCabe, who competed at UP from 2001-05. “I know the course and it’s a course where I’ve played well at. I’m excited to come up and play.”
McCabe, who hails from Thousand Oaks, Calif., says it’s currently unknown how many golfers will advance to the U.S. Open from Monday’s qualifier, but he expects the top two or three golfers to move on. The number depends on other sectional qualifiers going on across the country.
He also says the recent wet weather could produce some low scores.
“The course will be a little softer than normal,” added McCabe. “Scores should be close to even par or one under, but they could reach as low as seven or eight under. I anticipate some guys going low, so I’ll definitely have to make some birdies.
While at UP, McCabe posted the lowest yearly scoring average in program history, averaging a 73.3 as a senior during the 2004-05 season. As a junior, McCabe averaged a 74.3, the eighth lowest in UP history. He also earned All-West Coast Conference honors in 2003.
The 2010 U.S. Open is scheduled for June 17-20 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.
