Former Kent State golf stars John Hahn and Mackenzie Hughes qualify for U.S. Open
6/3/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Former Kent State men's golfers John Hahn and Mackenzie Hughes will be in the field at next weeks U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia.
Hahn, a 2011 graduate from Hudson, earned a spot to play in his first national championship by finishing second at the Bradenton, Fla. sectional qualifier on Monday, shooting rounds of 65 and 71 for an 8-under-par total at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club.
Hughes, a 2012 graduate from Dundas, Ontario and currently living in Charlotte, won a playoff to capture one of just two spots available at the St. Louis sectional. Hughes shot 72 in the first round, then carded a 1-under 70 at Old Warson Country Club to finish at even par and reach the playoff with Travis Johns of Oswego, Ill.
Just five days earlier, Hughes was in Atlanta watching his former Kent State teammates play in the NCAA Championships. At the time he had no idea he would even play in the sectional qualifier.
"He spent the day with us in Atlanta on Thursday, went out to dinner with us, then drove back home to Charlotte," said Kent State director of golf/head coach Herb Page. "Then on Friday he got a call from the USGA saying he got in as an alternate. And a few days later, he's in the U.S. Open."
"Mackenzie is just one year removed from college and John Hahn is just two years removed. They are hard working young men chasing their dream, and I couldn't be happier for them."
Hahn and Hughes were two of six former and current Kent State golfers who attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open on Monday. The Columbus regional included 2003 British Open champion and 2000 graduate Ben Curtis and current Golden Flashes junior Corey Conners. Both missed qualifying in a field filled with big names from the PGA Tour. Kent State freshman Jake Troyer and 2006 graduate Ryan Yip both played in the Springfield sectional. Yip will be the first alternate from the Springfield site and still could be in next week's field.
The U.S. Open will be held at famed Merion Golf Club June 13-16.
