FAIRFIELD, Conn. (May 14, 2009) – John Bushka of Stratford, Conn., fired a three-under-par 68 to claim medalist honors and lead the field of 118 players during U.S. Open Championship local qualifying held Thursday, May 14 at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. All qualifiers advance to sectional qualifying, the last stage before the 2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black.

Reigning New York State Open champion Rob Labritz of Pound Ridge, N.Y., advanced to sectional qualifying after carding a two-under-par 69. Keith Dicciani of White Plains, N.Y., finished two shots back and tied for third place after an even-par 71. John Crowley of Greenwich, Conn., and Kevin Duerr of Raleigh, N.C., also finished tied for third after rounds of 71. Former Ike champion and MGA Player of the Year Andrew Giuliani of New York City and Taylor Fontaine of Southbridge, Mass., carded rounds of 72 and survived a 12-man playoff to capture the final two qualifying spots. Kyle Gallo of Kensington, Conn., and Stephen Sokol of Milford, Conn., also finished with rounds of 72 and emerged from the playoff as the first and second alternates, respectively.

The U.S. Open local qualifying round at Brooklawn CC was conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The event is open to both professional and amateur golfers with a USGA Handicap Index of 1.4 or better. Today’s qualifiers advance to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, scheduled for Monday, June 8, at Century Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club, both in Purchase, N.Y. Sectional qualifying is the final stage before the 109th U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, N.Y., on June 18-21.

Final Results