GGGA pros Hoffmann, Hedblom qualify for 2013 U.S. Open

On what has been deemed Golf’s Longest Day for it’s long and grueling nature, GGGA pro Morgan Hoffmann swiped one of nine qualifying spots Monday at the 36-hole sectional qualifier at Colonial Country Club for the 2013 U.S. Open.

Hoffmann joins GGGA pros Peter Hedblom, who qualified a few days earlier in England, and D.A. Points, who earned an exemption due his strong play in 2013.

Hoffmann, a rookie this year on the PGA Tour, carded a 6-under 137, easily taking one of nine spots in Memphis, Tenn., amongst qualifying PGA Tour veterans Kevin Sutherland, Jerry Kelly and Joe Ogilvy.

After his round, Hoffmann was pretty enthusiastic about qualifying for next week’s U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., just outside Philadelphia.

“So pumped to be going back to Merion for the Open!!,” Hoffmann tweeted Monday night.

It is his third time qualifying for the U.S. Open. Last year, Hoffmann tied for 29th at Olympic Club and missed the cut in 2010 at Pebble Beach. Hoffmann is also coming off some solid play on tour the last few weeks, making three of his past four cuts, including a T5 at the Byron Nelson Championship a few weeks back.

On Golf’s Longest Day in England, European Tour veteran Peter Hedblom took one of 12 spots, finishing at 4 under par at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England.

Hedblom, a three-time winner on the European Tour, has worked with Gilchrist for more than a decade, and Gilchrist is happy to see Hedblom back competing in a major.

“Merion has so much history,” Gilchrist said. “Coming back there where people remember the shot of Ben Hogan and his famous 1-iron, it’s going to be great to see this year. For Peter (Hedblom) to make it, he’s played at Pinehurst in 2005 and Winged Foot in 2006, I know he’s excited to get back to playing in the U.S. Open again.

“As for Morgan (Hoffmann), he really enjoys the opportunity to compete and play in his national championship. It’s a great opportunity to play in the U.S. Open. For most pros, it’s the number one tournament they want to win.”

Hedblom had some solid success in his two previous appearances, notching a T11 in 2005 and T21 in 2006.

As for Points, it will be his fourth time playing in the U.S. Open, and he enters with strong form. Points has made seven of his last eight cuts with a win at the Shell Houston Open and a second-place finish at the Zurich Classic during that stretch.

About GGGA

Based at the Mission Inn Resort & Club, 40 minutes outside of Orlando, Florida, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy is the leading full-time junior golf academy in the world.

Led by Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Gary Gilchrist, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy features a boarding program for junior golfers and the following programs: Full-Time Junior Program, Post Graduate Program, summer golf camps, winter golf camps and golf lessons and programs for adults, amateurs and professionals.

GGGA is committed to excellence in every facet of golf, fitness, personal development and academics, evident through exclusive relationships with Montverde Academy, an acclaimed private college preparatory school, and the American Junior Golf Association. As part of GGGA’s partnership with the AJGA, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy is the official title sponsor of the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series, an AJGA tournament series reserved for the world’s top 12-15 year-old golfers.

For more information about GGGA, the GGGA’s full-time residential boarding program and other year-round opportunities to Train, Think and Play like a Champion, visit www.ggga.com or call 1-866-639-9099.

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