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BATTLE CREEK - Andrew Walker is one step closer to making another one of his dreams come true.
While the Battle Creek golfer has already had an eventful young career, Walker's hope to one day play in the U.S. Open is becoming close to a reality as he recently advanced past the first step in qualifying for the prestigious event.
Walker made it out of a local qualifier, finishing in the top five at a U.S. Open qualifying event in South Bend, Ind. Those advancing out of local qualifying – conducted at 110 sites in 43 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico through May 19 – advanced to the U.S. Open’s final qualifying stage, which is conducted over 36 holes at one of nine sites on June 2. The 125th U.S. Open will be played on June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
"The U.S. Open has always been on my radar," Walker said. "Been through qualifying the past few years, but haven't made it. My game right now is in a much better spot than it has been and I'm excited about that. So, if I can play another great 36 holes, it would be pretty freaking great to get the chance to play in a U.S. Open."
MORE:Look back at Lakeview's Walker career MSU
Getting a spot in the U.S. Open will be a continuation of Walker's road in golf, dating back to his years in Battle Creek and at Lakeview High School.
Walker was the youngest African-American to ever qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship at age 14 in 2013. He was part of two state golf championships at Lakeview in 2015-16. He was named Mr. Golf while in high school - the award given to the top high school golfer in the state. He went on to play at Michigan State University.
Now a professional, Walker has been part of the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour, which is set up to help the top minority professional golfers with the resources, support and mentorship needed to elevate their game and progress to the next level. He won the APGA Ascension Classic in August of 2024. He also competed his first PGA Tour event 2024, playing in the World Wide Technology Championship.
"It's been an awesome experience to be involved in the APGA," Walker said. "Looking at my journey in professional golf, a lot of it has been due to the APGA. It has given me an awesome stage to test my skills against some amazing golfers.
"It's a privilege to be part of the APGA. The work they are doing to bring greater diversity to the game of golf is incredible."
Walker is hoping his recent success, including in his local U.S. Open qualifier, is a sign of things to come for his career.
"The beginning parts of my professional career have been up and down. It has been quite the process," Walker said. "But I have added a new swing coach, a new mental coach and I am doing the things needed to get to where I want to be.
"My commitment to the process and trusting in the things I have been working on have seen me through. And I am seeing results, like at the U.S. Open local qualifier."
The U.S. Open is a unique event, in that anyone can play in it if they are good enough. Getting through the local and sectional qualifiers is the tough part.
That was played out famously in the movie 'Tin Cup' as a former college standout tried to qualify for the U.S. Open. In that movie, actor Kevin Costner was the character nicknamed Tin Cup, who saw his final round implode by hitting several balls into the water on his final hole.
Walker is hoping life imitates art, when it comes to his own experiences and that movie, but without the troubles on No. 18.
"Yeah, I guess this could be a little like 'Tin Cup', but hopefully with a few less water balls," Walker laughed. "But the U.S. Open would definitely be a dream come true. If I made it that far and qualified, it would definitely be crazy."
Bill Broderick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek golfer Andrew Walker to play in U.S. Open final qualifier
Continue reading...
While the Battle Creek golfer has already had an eventful young career, Walker's hope to one day play in the U.S. Open is becoming close to a reality as he recently advanced past the first step in qualifying for the prestigious event.
Walker made it out of a local qualifier, finishing in the top five at a U.S. Open qualifying event in South Bend, Ind. Those advancing out of local qualifying – conducted at 110 sites in 43 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico through May 19 – advanced to the U.S. Open’s final qualifying stage, which is conducted over 36 holes at one of nine sites on June 2. The 125th U.S. Open will be played on June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
"The U.S. Open has always been on my radar," Walker said. "Been through qualifying the past few years, but haven't made it. My game right now is in a much better spot than it has been and I'm excited about that. So, if I can play another great 36 holes, it would be pretty freaking great to get the chance to play in a U.S. Open."
MORE:Look back at Lakeview's Walker career MSU
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Getting a spot in the U.S. Open will be a continuation of Walker's road in golf, dating back to his years in Battle Creek and at Lakeview High School.
Walker was the youngest African-American to ever qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship at age 14 in 2013. He was part of two state golf championships at Lakeview in 2015-16. He was named Mr. Golf while in high school - the award given to the top high school golfer in the state. He went on to play at Michigan State University.
Now a professional, Walker has been part of the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour, which is set up to help the top minority professional golfers with the resources, support and mentorship needed to elevate their game and progress to the next level. He won the APGA Ascension Classic in August of 2024. He also competed his first PGA Tour event 2024, playing in the World Wide Technology Championship.
"It's been an awesome experience to be involved in the APGA," Walker said. "Looking at my journey in professional golf, a lot of it has been due to the APGA. It has given me an awesome stage to test my skills against some amazing golfers.
"It's a privilege to be part of the APGA. The work they are doing to bring greater diversity to the game of golf is incredible."
Walker is hoping his recent success, including in his local U.S. Open qualifier, is a sign of things to come for his career.
"The beginning parts of my professional career have been up and down. It has been quite the process," Walker said. "But I have added a new swing coach, a new mental coach and I am doing the things needed to get to where I want to be.
"My commitment to the process and trusting in the things I have been working on have seen me through. And I am seeing results, like at the U.S. Open local qualifier."
You must be registered for see images attach
The U.S. Open is a unique event, in that anyone can play in it if they are good enough. Getting through the local and sectional qualifiers is the tough part.
That was played out famously in the movie 'Tin Cup' as a former college standout tried to qualify for the U.S. Open. In that movie, actor Kevin Costner was the character nicknamed Tin Cup, who saw his final round implode by hitting several balls into the water on his final hole.
Walker is hoping life imitates art, when it comes to his own experiences and that movie, but without the troubles on No. 18.
"Yeah, I guess this could be a little like 'Tin Cup', but hopefully with a few less water balls," Walker laughed. "But the U.S. Open would definitely be a dream come true. If I made it that far and qualified, it would definitely be crazy."
Bill Broderick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek golfer Andrew Walker to play in U.S. Open final qualifier
Continue reading...
