Area players make it through various U.S. Open local qualifiers

Qualifying for the 111th United States Open is in full swing, with the USGA receiving a reported 8,300 entries.

The local qualifying stage in Florida began May 6 and continues until Sunday.

Several players have gotten through with ties to Manatee County.

Travis Hampshire, who played several West Florida Golf Tour events in its inaugural 2010 season until he gained full-time playing privileges on the Nationwide Tour, made it through last Thursday at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Hampshire earned one of the last spots in the sectional tournament after a playoff. He played in the 2010 U.S. Open.

Reigning City of Sarasota Men's Amateur champion and University of North Florida senior Chris Kennedy qualified last Monday at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa.

Kennedy played his high school golf at Cardinal Mooney.

Former IMG Academies student Christo Greyling advanced from the MetroWest Golf Club qualifier in Orlando last Monday.

West Florida Golf Tour participant Justin McCarraher, who lives in Fort Myers, was the medalist at the local qualifier held Monday at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers.

Also on Monday, the lone Bradenton qualifying site took place at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club.

To read more about how the area players fared in Monday's qualifier at the Ritz, check out Tuesday's edition of the Bradenton Herald.