Advertisement

Rancho Mirage pro survives playoff at U.S. Open local qualifer in Palm Desert

larry bohannan, palm springs desert sun
·2 min read
Scott Cherry of Rancho Mirage hits his second shot on the first hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Scott Cherry of Rancho Mirage hits his second shot on the first hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.

Scott Cherry, a teaching pro at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, took the first step toward a possible berth in the U.S. Open in June by surviving a playoff at a local qualifying tournament Monday.

Cherry was one of four golfers to finish at 2-under 69 on the par-71 Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert. That tied the foursome for fifth, with only five berths into regional play available in the 84-player field.

This marks the second time in three years Cherry has survived a playoff in a local qualifier at Indian Ridge. In 2022, Cherry advanced to regional play but fell short of reaching the Open.

Cherry’s regulation round included a bogey on the par-4 11th hole, Cherry’s second hole of the day. But on the par-4 12th, Cherry holed a shot from the fairway for an eagle-2. He added birdies on the first and the fourth holes but took a bogey on the fifth hole before parring out for his 69.

More: Max Margolis hangs on in closing holes to take Desert Empire League golf title

Cherry then faced the playoff with Gin Kim of Irvine, amateur Shea Lague of Jamul and Jonathan Kang of Santa Clarita. Kang was out of the playoff first, with Kim and Lague taking first and second alternate spots, respectively.

Cherry was the only desert resident to finish in the top 25 of the Indian Ridge qualifier. Cherry advances to regional play, which will be played June 3 at 10 sites across the country as well as two international sites.

Mason Glinski of Oxnard was medalist at Indian Ridge with a 67, while amateur Matthew Yamin of New York, Weihsuan Wang of Taipai and Mark Geddes of England all shot 68.

Nicholas Harrison of La Quinta tees off on the 16th hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Nicholas Harrison of La Quinta tees off on the 16th hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Max Meltzer, left, of La Quinta hits an approach shot on the 15th hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Max Meltzer, left, of La Quinta hits an approach shot on the 15th hole on the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Benjamin Nicholas of Yucca Valley hits an approach shot on the first hole of the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.
Benjamin Nicholas of Yucca Valley hits an approach shot on the first hole of the Grove Course at Indian Ridge Country Club during round one of the U.S. Open local qualifying in Palm Desert, Calif., May 6, 2024.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Rancho Mirage pro survives playoff at U.S. Open local qualifer in Palm Desert