Mooty, Carlson, Griesgraber Earn Spots in U.S. Senior Am Qualifying at Minikahda

MINNEAPOLIS -- David Mooty birdied three of the first five holes on the back nine at The Minikahda Club on Tuesday during the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying. With that burst, he went from just hoping to squeak through to being the leader of the pack.

Although he bogeyed the 17th hole, he ended up with an even-par round of 73, which was good enough to earn him medalist honors.

It also reserved for him the first of the three available spots in this year's U.S. Senior Am, which will be played Sept. 29-Oct. 4 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, N.J.

Leif Carlson, who won the Minnesota State Senior Amateur -- for the second time -- at Minikahda two years ago, finished second with a 74.

The third and final spot went to Bob Griesgraber, who bogeyed two par-5's on the front nine (No. 4 and No. 7), but then birdied both of the par-5's on the back (13 and 14). He surrendered a stroke with a bogey at the 17th, but capped off his round with a birdie at the18th hole to post a 75.

Tim Andersen also birdied the final hole. But that gave him a 76, and he's the first alternate. David Kokesh, this year's MGA Senior Players' champion, is the second alternate. He shot  77.    

U.S. GOLF ASSOCIATION

U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying

At The Minikahda Club

Par 73, 6,760 yards

Minneapolis

Final results 

Qualifiers

1. David Mooty              73

2. Leif Carlson              74

3. Bob Griesgraber      75

Alternates

4. Tim Andersen           76 (1st alternate)

5. David Kokesh           77 (2nd alternate) 

Did not qualify

T6. Larry Barnacle        77

T6. Craig Hanson          77

T6. Jeff Wiltse                77

T6. Randy Garber         77