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UGA members advance from U.S. Senior Open Local Qualifying

Long-time Utah Golf Association member Clark Jones, dad to Utah State Am champ Zac and his brothers Tyler and Austin, was one of nine golfers, including a handful of Utah golfers, to advance from the U.S.Senior Open Local Qualifier Wednesday at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club. And according to Jones, no one was more surprised that he made it than he was.

“First of all, I didn’t know they would have nine spots available. And this is the first year that they’ve had a Local Qualifiers for the U.S. Senior Open. I had signed up to play in this a couple of months ago, but I didn’t think I would make it.”

But he did. Jones got off to a great start, and was one under par after the front nine. He double bogeyed the par 4 12th hole and was 2-over on the back nine when he hit a gap wedge too long on his approach shot on No. 18 that went over the green. He bogeyed the hole and thought his chances of advancing were over. But then it looked like he was going to be in a 5-man playoff for the four final spots. As he was on the putting green, getting ready for the playoff, the situation changed, and the five golfers at 74 all got in.

Now he’s just one step away from playing in a major. But he may not get the chance.

“That’s the beauty of golf, right? We all dream of playing on the big stage,” he said. “It’s that never ending hope that this game gives us. It would be cool to go to regionals and try to make it. But I have to find a date that works.”

Clark is first and foremost a father, and he had already committed to caddy for his son Zac at Zac’s U.S Open Final Qualifier and then again at the Canadian Tour Q-school.

“Zac is exempt into the Final Qualifier of U.S. Open, and his career comes before mine. I would love to try to qualify, but Zac comes first. His opportunities are better than mine. I’ll try to make it work, and if I can find a date at a regional that doesn’t conflict, I’ll go. I just have to find a time that works.”

He said his biggest achievement in golf so far has been winning a match in the Utah State Amateur, so this would be huge. If he can make it happen.

Parents are always sacrificing for their kids, but Clark would be giving up a chance to play in our country’s Senior Open, a chance that doesn’t come along very often. But he’s taking a healthy approach to the situation.

“Would I like to go to have a chance to qualify? Absolutely. I love the fact that this game gives amateurs like me a chance to play at the highest levels. But I didn’t think I would make it this far. So I’m not holding my breath.”

Utahns joining Jones in moving on the Final Qualifying are Darrin Overson and Utah PGA Professionals Ryan Kartchner and Mark Owen.

The United States Senior Open Championship will be contested at The Broadmoor (East Course) in Colorado Springs, Colo. June 26-29, 2025. Final Qualifying will take place May 19-June 2.

 

Feature written by ABC 4 Sports Anchor, Wesley Ruff. Click here for final results.