Long Island players have tough day in U.S. Open qualifier

It is worth asking what keeps a pro golfer going for nine years, making little money, sharing three-to-a-room hotel accommodations, without ever getting into a PGA Tour event.

"I guess," Jesse Smith said, "it's days like today."

Smith, 33, the son of a late pro hockey player who came from Six Nations Reserve community outside Toronto, had the day of his life Monday, shooting 4 under par through 36 holes to qualify for the U.S. Open. The mini-tour veteran led an eclectic group of four who played their way into next week's major championship at Merion Golf Club, located a few miles west of Philadelphia.

Geoffrey Sisk, a journeyman who lost his status on the Web.com Tour but has a knack for making the Open, qualified for a seventh time, also at 4 under, on the Century and Old Oaks Country Club layouts. Gavin Hall, an 18-year-old amateur from upstate Pittsford birdied his final four holes to make it at 4 under. Jim Herman, who made the PGA Tour this year by his play last year on the Web.com circuit, qualified at 3 under.

It was a rough day for Long Island golfers. The nearest to a positive was Sunny Kim of Queens, who won a playoff for second alternate. It showed that struggle is part of the Open process.

"I don't know if it's really set in yet. It's a dream come true," said Smith, who grew up in New Hampshire.

His father, Guy, played forward for the original New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association. Jesse was 16 when his father died and, to help fill the void, took up golf. He became immersed in it as a walk-on for the Colgate squad. He has made it his life, despite the fact he has barely made a livelihood at it. He was struggling so much two years ago that he reached out to tour player (and Tiger Woods buddy) Notah Begay, who shares a Native North American heritage with Smith.

SEE PHOTOSLong Islanders at U.S. Open qualifier

"I prepared for about a week what I was going to say on his voice mail. And he answered the phone and I was in shock. I didn't know what to say. But he couldn't have been nicer," Smith said, adding he benefited from that encouragement. "Golf is such a great game, there's an equal opportunity. If you play well, you can earn your way. It's all up to you."

Not quite always, at least not in the Open. The shot and the celebration of the day came from Brandon Matthews, a freshman at Temple, who thought he needed a par on his final hole to make the Open. He was heartbroken taking a penalty stroke because of an unplayable lie, but improbably sank a 50-foot pitch shot for par. Minutes later, he learned that Hall's finish had knocked him out.

"The kid played phenomenal," Matthews said. "What are you going to do?"