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Darrin Overson Advances to U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor
Today in Colorado Springs, Darrin Overson’s decades-long journey through competitive amateur golf found a new level. With a “grinding” 2-under-par 69 at the Pete Dye-designed Country Club of Colorado, Overson punched his ticket to the 45th United States Senior Open Championship—his first-ever start in a USGA senior major. The championship will be played June 26-29 on the East Course at The Broadmoor Golf Club, also in Colorado Springs.
Overson said, “I birdied the third and fourth holes and made a really long one on four, probably 45 feet. And another one on six, about 35 feet. I was three under through six but then missed a couple fairways, and on this course, that made things really tough.” He described the rough as four to five inches long and “healthy,” thanks to recent rains and a mowing schedule that skipped the last couple weeks. “If you didn’t see where your ball entered from the fairway, you could lose it fast.”
Most recently Darrin Overson finished as the Low Senior and the only senior player to make the cut at the Utah Mid-Amateur Championship.
Still, Overson held steady, navigating the demanding layout with the experience hard won from years of Utah golf competition including taking home trophies as a former Utah State Amateur and Mid-Amateur champion. His 69 left him just one shot shy of medalist honors and was one of only two rounds under par.
He earned his shot at Final Qualifying by finishing second in Utah’s U.S. Senior Open Local Qualifier at Thanksgiving Point in May, where he posted a 71. “This is probably the biggest championship I’ve qualified for,” Overson said. “I’ve played in a U.S. Amateur and five U.S. Mid-Ams, but this is major for me. I’d rank it just below winning the Utah State Am.”
He’ll now take that game to The Broadmoor, a iconic championship course he’s never played before, but will get to know quickly with practice rounds early next week.
Joining Overson at The Broadmoor will be Utah PGA Professional and former Senior PGA Championship champion Steve Schneiter, who advanced out of a sudden-death playoff at even par 71. Mountain View Golf Course PGA Professional Mark Owen claimed the first alternate spot. PGA TOUR Champions players Chris DiMarco and Brandt Jobe also advanced from the playoff.
For Overson, it’s the kind of moment that validates years of staying in the game, refining his game, and putting himself in position. “It’s crazy,” he said. “Just crazy, crazy.”
U.S. Senior Open Final Qualifying results.
Feature and photos by Fairways Media/Randy Dodson