May 16, 2007

MEQUON, Wis. - Sophomore Mike Van Sickle accomplished two tasks by teeing it up in the first round of local U.S. Open Qualifying at North Shore Country Club in Mequon. He got the chance to play competitively, shortening a break of what would have been nearly four weeks between the BIG EAST golf championships and the NCAA Central Regional. In addition, he survived the first round of local U.S. Open Qualifying.

Van Sickle advanced to sectional qualifying by winning the third playoff hole to become the fifth qualifier for the event. Three golfers tied for the fifth and final spot. Van Sickle emerged out of that group which consisted of a local teaching professional and a Nationwide Tour player.

Having not played in a collegiate golf tournament since April 24, Van Sickle got the chance to play in a competitive setting before the NCAA Central Regional, which is scheduled to begin May 17 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. Van Sickle is one of six individual participants invited to compete in the Central Regional. He is the first Marquette golfer to compete in an NCAA post-season event.

Click here for the story on the local U.S. Open Qualifier from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.