Notebook: From Final Exams To The Ultimate Test

By David Shefter, USGA

Southampton, N.Y. – In the days leading up to the 2004 U.S. Open, Brock Mackenzie was having trouble staying focused. He felt like a kid counting down the hours before Christmas morning.

But before Mackenzie, 22, could get his bags packed, the Yakima, Wash., native had to take the last three finals of his academic career at the University of Washington. That came on June 10, three days after he earned his spot in the Open field at the Summit, N.J., sectional site.

Needless to say, Mackenzie’s mind has been on golf, not school, since he qualified.

"I had to call my mom to give me some motivation," said the 2003 USA Walker Cupper who earned first-team All-America honors this past season. "She’s like, ‘One more day and you don’t have to worry about that again.’ That’s kind of where I was at and I think I did all right."

Two of the exams were in his major, economics; the third was in Swahili.

Asked what he might use the African tribal language for in the future, Mackenzie said, "Absolutely nothing. A bunch of my friends were taking it and a bunch of athletes were taking it. It was actually pretty easy to learn."

Mackenzie was asked if playing the Walker Cup on the storied course at Ganton Golf Club prepared him for Shinnecock Hills.

"It’s similar in that it’s firm," he said. "There definitely are certain holes where you have to land it short and let it roll up. (But) the atmosphere (at the Open) is quite a bit different. Coming here on Monday and having people in the bleachers and asking for autographs … it’s pretty cool."

The Open will mark the end of Mackenzie’s amateur career. He plans to fly to Japan next week for the Mizuno Open and he’s still trying to line up sponsor’s exemptions before the start of PGA Tour Qualifying School in the fall.

"What better way to go out," said Mackenzie. "What a great venue to come to. Shinnecock Hills is as good as it gets."

Return Engagement

It’s not often a golfer plays in two U.S. Opens as an amateur, especially if he has to qualify. But Chez Reavie, 22, of Mesa, Ariz., will do just that, after earning a spot on June 7 at the Columbus, Ohio sectional site. Ricky Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champ, actually played in three Opens as an amateur (qualified twice and got one full exemption). David Duval played twice as an amateur. Ditto for Tiger Woods, Tom Kite, Phil Mickelson, Jay Haas, Corey Pavin, Joey Sindelar and Brad Faxon (three), all of whom are in this year’s field at Shinnecock Hills.

Last year, Reavie, who just concluded his collegiate career at Arizona State University, admitted that he was a little too excited at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club.

"I know what to expect a little more," said the 2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion. "The golf course is definitely different, but just all the people on the range … you learn from (the experience). Hopefully, I’ll be able to play my game a little bit more than I did last year. I wasn’t really nervous, but just too pumped up."

Reavie had rounds of 75 and 78 in 2003 to miss the cut by 10 strokes. But his game was just rounding back into form after undergoing wrist surgery in the fall of 2001. He rehabbed all the way up to three weeks before his 2002 Masters appearance, which he earned by winning the publinx title. He posted rounds of 74-86 and missed the cut.

"He held it together really well in the first round," said his caddie, Brian Herring, who has been on the bag for all three of Reavie’s appearances in majors, as well as his national amateur competitions. "A lot of people see the scores and don’t realize all that he went through trying to get back. For five months, he couldn’t hit a golf ball. The first week back he got to chip, then was able to hit a few 8-irons and then with two weeks to go (before Augusta) he could hit some full shots."

Herring has been a close personal friend of Reavie since the latter was 12. Herring is now an assistant pro at Reavie’s home course, Dobson Ranch, and the two have made a solid team. Herring, who tried to qualify for the U.S. Open each of the last two years (missed in locals), probably knows Reavie’s game as well as anyone.

"I knew I would be getting this far one way or another," Herring said. "I was confident he would play well (in the sectional). His game is getting better. It’s just a matter of confidence. At qualifying, it was beautiful. He stayed patient. He’s got it back now."

As far as caddieing goes, Herring is living a dream, even though he’s toting a bag and not playing.

"I’ve seen some of the best golfers," added Herring. "When you get to see them like this, it’s not a bad seat."

Following In Dad’s Steps

There are several players this week who are second-generation U.S. Open participants. Jay and Bill Haas are the only father and son playing in the U.S. Open this week, but there are several players who are second-generation Open participants.

It’s the second consecutive year for the Haases.

But also at Shinnecock Hills are Kevin Stadler, son of Craig who played in 18 U.S. Opens and won the 1973 U.S. Amateur; Tim Herron, whose father, Carson, competed at the 1963 U.S. Open, and whose grandfather, Carson Lee Herron, participated in the 1934 Open. Briny Baird’s father, Butch, competed in eight U.S. Opens.

Amateur qualifier Spencer Levin’s father, Don, also played in the 1983 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. That came a year before Spencer was born.

"He doesn’t have any photos or anything," said Spencer, who is employing dad as a caddie this week. "He really hasn’t offered any advice."

But veteran PGA Tour player Nick Price told him this week not to be intimidated by anyone. Judging by his demeanor in the practice area, Levin doesn’t seem too starry-eyed.

"I feel like I’m a better player than I was last year," said the 19-year-old Levin, who just finished his sophomore season at New Mexico. Levin is the second-youngest competitor in the field this week, behind 2003 U.S. Amateur runner-up Casey Wittenberg.

"I’m just going to go out there and do my best and that’s all I can do."

Levin had a solid season for the Lobos, winning one tournament (John Burns Intercollegiate in Hawaii). He was a quarterfinalist at both the 2001 U.S. Junior and the 2002 U.S. Amateur. This is his fifth USGA competition.

"I’ve been playing well all year," said Levin before his Wednesday practice round with Padraig Harrington, Phillip Price and Paul Casey. "I don’t expect anything (this week), but I think if I can play well I can do pretty well."

And if he makes the cut, he’ll one-up his father, who shot rounds of 80-78 at Oakmont.

David Shefter is a USGA staff writer. Email him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org