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Qualifying: 97th Long Island Open Presented by Stifel

Fresh Meadow Country Club


MINEOLA, N.Y. (May 7, 2021) -- While a number of players are already exempt for the 97th Long Island Open Championship Presented by Stifel, June 8-10 at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y., the remainder of the field will be filled through a pair of upcoming qualifying rounds. Amateurs and professionals from throughout Long Island will aim to advance to the championship proper, which this year returns to its early June slot on the calendar after taking place in October in 2020. Fresh Meadow, which annually hosts the Sarazen Invitaitonal in honor of its former professional Gene Sarazen, owns a rich championship history that includes the 1930 PGA Championship. This will be the fourth Long Island Open hosted by the Club.

Follow qualifying action to see who earns their spot in the field.

May 12 - Bethpage State Park (Red), Farmingdale, N.Y.
Dylan Crowley of Glen Cove came out on top at Wednesday's qualifier for the 97th Long Island Open Championship Presented by Stifel, shooting a 2-under 68 on Bethpage's Red Course. Crowley finished incredibly strong on the back nine with birdies on Nos. 13 and 18 to complement his eagle on No. 16.

Related: Results

When asked what contributed to his success, the Los Angeles native and St. John's alumni credited his familiarity with the course and ability to remain calm. "Tee to green I was solid all day," said Crowley. "I didn't start putting well util the last six to seven holes, the greens were a bit of an adjustment. I played here in college so I know the place so well."

Crowley's eagle on No. 16 was key in him grabbing medalist honors, placing him stroke ahead of Vincent Venard and Paul Dickinson of Atlantic who both shot 1-under 69. "I hit a 4-iron from 260 yards to 10 feet on No. 16 and knocked it in for eagle--one of the better 4-irons I've hit in my life," Crowley said.

Venard credited his consistency as well as changing his grips and irons before the round. "One key was ball striking," said Venard. "Just hitting the ball good off the tee. I just played solid all day long. "I was playing totally different at the U.S Open qualifier with mid-size grips, so I changed all the grips, went back to my old irons, and my game came back."

Witht the low 37 scores and ties advancing from the qualifier, 47 players punched their ticket to Fresh Meadow with scores of 6-over 76 or better.

May 24 - Indian Hills Country Club, Northport, N.Y.
Amateurs Matt Spagnoli of Brookville and Patrick Montagnino of Indian Hills carded 2-over 74s at Indian Hills to lead 24 players to Fresh Meadow Country Club for the 97th Long Island Open Championship Presented by Stifel. Amateurs took 13 of the 24 spots overall.

Related: Results

While Spagnoli made the turn in 3-over, he settled in on the way in and added a pair of birdies and one bogey to post his 74. Montagnino used his home course knowledge to a consistent round in which he recorded 16 pars and a pair of bogeys, both coming on the inward nine.