University Park, Pa. — Two Nittany Lion golfers will move ahead to the U.S. Open sectional qualifiers next week after earning top honors at local qualifiers. Both Matthew Porter (Cortland, N.Y.) and T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) will join former Nittany Lion Mark Leon (2005) as first-time sectional participants and all will compete in separate locations. Senior Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.) also competed in the local qualifying field and finished as the second alternate.
Freshman Porter earned medalist honors in Syracuse, N.Y. at his local qualifier, tying for first with a 2-over par 73. Porter will take the links at the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J.
Howe, who recently was named Golfweek's Player of the Week after tying for first at the 2010 NCAA Regional tournament, competed at the Quicksilver Golf Course outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he carded a 2-under par 70 to tie for third and advance. Former Nittany Lion golfer, Robert Rohanna (2008) also competed at the Quicksilver local qualifier, concluding play tied for tenth. Howe will take the links at the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., for his sectional tournament. Foley posted a 1-over par 73, to tie for seventh at the Montammy Country Club in Alpine, N.J.
The 2010 U.S. Open sectional qualifiers are set for June 7. The 2010 U.S. Open is to be played June 14-20 at the Pebble Beach Resorts. Click here for more U.S. Open news and information.