U.S. Open dream spans generations; more than 20 golfers with ties to city attempt to qualify

Baylor junior Oliver Simonsen hits his tee shot on No. 18 of Willowbrook Golf Course in the Division II-AA state championship on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014.
Baylor junior Oliver Simonsen hits his tee shot on No. 18 of Willowbrook Golf Course in the Division II-AA state championship on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014.

The dream is the same for fathers and sons who play golf at a high level -- to participate in the U.S. Open.

Henrik Simonsen, head professional at The Honors Course, has been trying to earn his way into our national championship for at least 20 years. Simonsen's son, Oliver, will be making his first attempt at getting through a local qualifier today.

"I asked my wife yesterday, 'So who are you going to watch all day?'" said Simonsen, whose spouse, Tamara, caddied for him during his younger competitive playing career. "She said, 'Who do you think?' I knew what that answer meant, and I guess I'm not as interesting to watch as I used to be.

"Still, it's a proud moment to know that Oliver has reached the level of playing ability where he's able to compete in the same tournament as me and go for same goal."

The Simonsens are among more than 20 golfers with Chattanooga=area ties who have attempted, or will be attempting, to earn a spot this year in one of the four most prestigious golf tournaments in the world -- and the only one where a golfer with a handicap of 1.4 or better can attempt to earn a spot in the same tournament as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Ricky Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

photo Paul Apyan practices chipping the ball during the second practice round of the Chattanooga Classic at Black Creek Club golf course.

"This is why you practice. It's an opportunity to play against the best in the world, not only the best college players," said University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer Wes Gosselin, who has played in three USGA events -- two U.S. Junior championships and one U.S. Amateur. "I'm not playing golf just to be a good college player. I want to be out there on the PGA Tour someday.

"I want to be a great college player first; then my ultimate goal is to be out there."

Fatherhood and U.S. Open qualifying go together beyond the possibility of a dad and his son both advancing to a 36-hole sectional qualifier.

Paul Apyan, the former Hixson High School golfer and resident of Cleveland, became a father for the first time 10 days ago when he and wife, Leah, introduced Paul Cameron Apyan into the world.

Apyan tied for second with a 4-under-par 68 at Chateau Elan on Monday and will learn of his sectional destination on May 28. Then on June 8 he'll be 36 holes away from playing at Chambers Bay in the state of Washington.

"I'm trying to make it because, why not? It's as simple as that," Apyan said while taking a break from mowing his yard. "I don't think there's a single person who would say, 'No I don't want to play in the U.S. Open.'"

Gosselin and UTC teammate Brooks Thomas would love to be there competing against the best players in the world. They both have participated in USGA events and can hardly imagine the opportunity of playing in the U.S. Open.

They'll be joined at a local qualifier today at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville by former Mocs Thomas Smith, Jonathan Hodge, Bryce Ledford and Davis Bunn, which gives the Chattanooga area 14 golfers competing in Open qualifiers today. Only four from Holston Hills will advance to a sectional.

"Playing in the U.S. Junior (in 2012) is the best experience I've had in my golfing career," Thomas said. "Making it into the U.S Open would be a life-changing experience, especially as a college player.

"But you have to put yourself in the qualifier if you even want to think about going."

The Simonsens are thinking about going together.

"If Oliver makes it and I don't, it would be among the best days of my life," Simonsen said. "We're both long shots because of his school schedule and my work schedule."

But because of the qualifying system, there's still a chance for them and every other participant.

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

U.S. Open local qualifier participants with Chattanooga connections

Monday at Legends at Chateau Elan * Paul Apyan, Chattanooga - Advanced to Sectional * Richard Spangler, Chattanooga - DNQ * Tyler Mitchell, Chatsworth - DNQ * Sam Bedwell, Chattanooga - DNQ * Adam Mitchell, Former McCallie - DNQMonday at Trump National Golf Club * Derek Rende, Chattanooga - Second AlternateTuesday at Golf Club of Georgia * David Noll Jr., Dalton - WD * Davis Kirk, Dalton - DNQ * Ryan Cusack, Chattanooga - DNQ * Jeffrey Cornelius, Ringgold - DNQ * Chase Miller, Dalton - DNQToday at Holston Hills Country Club * Jonathan Hodge, Former UTC * Keoni Vidrine, Delano * Wes Gosselin, UTC * Matt Johnson, Manchester * Jordan Whitmire, McDonald * David Weeks, Harrison * Danny Gleeson, Harrison * Hunter Green, Evensville * Brooks Thomas, Chattanooga * Bryce Ledford, Chattanooga * Oliver Simonsen, Ooltewah * Davis Bunn, Former UTC * Thomas Smith, Chattanooga * Henrik Simonsen, OoltewahTuesday at Pine Tree Country Club * Stephan Jaeger, Chattanooga

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