Anchorage golf pro Billy Bomar battled heavy winds and patchy greens Thursday at the Palmer Golf Course to win the U.S. Open local qualifier with an even-par 72.
Wind gusts that reached 30 mph and greens that were a mix of grass and sand made putting difficult and inflated scores.
Given the conditions, "Billy shot the equivalent of about 4-under par," said Greg Sanders, the U.S. Golf Association representative for Alaska.
"The greens were iffy," Bomar said.
But he still managed to hole birdie putts on the par-4 16th and par-5 18th, holes that both played dead into the wind. The two birdies provided the winning margin over Eagleglen golf pro Rob Nelson, who shot 74.
Bomar said he was breaking in a new set of clubs and playing just his second round of the year, with his first coming Wednesday at Palmer. The wind made for the toughest conditions Bomar had seen in the six years Alaska has held a U.S. Open qualifier.
"You could have a great reality show, if they could film this," he said.
Alaska has a difficult time coming up with many golfers who hold a handicap of 1.4 or lower, the requirement for competing in a U.S. Open. Sanders said the USGA likes to see at least 10 compete each year. The 18 who competed Thursday was the highest number Sanders could remember.
Bomar's win earned him a spot at the 36-hole, one-day sectional qualifier at the Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash., on June 6. If he finishes high enough there, he will earn a spot in the U.S. Open. The number of spots available depends on the size of the field.
Sanders said there are around 8,000 golfers across the country who sign up for qualifying events and getting past the sectionals is extremely difficult.
"You are playing literally against tour players," he said.
Bomar, 48, has experience playing on professional tours like the Hogan Tour and Nationwide Tour and said he is in the process of making a run at the Senior PGA Tour when he turns 50.
Reach Jeremy Peters at jpeters@adn.com or 257-4335.
U.S. Open Local Qualifier Palmer Golf Course
Thursday's results
Par 72 -- 1) Billy Bomar, 72; 2) Rob Nelson 74; 3) Greg Sanders, 76; 4) (tie) Hunter Blake; Heath Martin, 78; 6) Brandon Kaiser, 79; 7) (tie) Adam Baxter; Joe Butler, 80; 9) (tie) Bryan Anderson; Mark Dolejsi; Bill Engberg, 81; 12) Travis Jorgenson, 82; 13) Jeff Barnhart, 86; 14) James Triplett, 87; 15) Mark Lynch, 94; 16) Chris Mossholder, 95.
By JEREMY PETERS
jpeters@adn.com