18th green at Scioto CC with the clubhouse in the back drop

It really was the “longest day in golf” — it was so long that the U.S. Open sectional qualifying spilled over into Tuesday in Memphis. Play was postponed to the following day due to storms. Dennis Miller and Casey Martin’s stories held up as the best Cinderella stories.

Meanwhile, where did I leave off in Columbus? (continue reading…)

This is what the U.S. Open qualifying is all about: Any professional or amateur golfer with a handicap index of 1.4 or lower can sign up for a shot at playing their way into the major championship. Not that it’s easy, but having the chance is what matters, which Dennis Miller, a 42-year-old director of golf at Mill Creek Metroparks in Boardman, Ohio, reminded us at the Columbus sectional, held at Scioto Country Club and OSU Scarlet Course.

This is also why you should stick around for the playoff at the end: Miller’s 18-footer for birdie from the fringe on the fourth hole in sudden death, the 18th at Scioto, looked like it was good as it made its way down the hill, then it turned just to the right at the last roll and sat on the lip. As Miller, with his shoulder’s slumped and head down, started walking to the hole to tap it in, the ball disappeared. (continue reading…)