Tom Robinson, a Class A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, July 31-Aug. 3, at The Broadmoor Resort's East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Robinson has been a GCSAA member for 31 of the 32 years he's been in the profession. He's been the golf course superintendent at Ravinia Green Country Club in Riverwoods, Ill., since 1991. Robinson qualified for the 2008 U.S. Senior Open by winning the sectional qualifier at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis., on July 1, with a five-under-par 67.
"I made seven birdies, two bogies and just played a very good round," said Robinson about his two-shot victory at the sectional qualifier. "It was set up very difficult, but I was pretty familiar with the course, having been there once before as rater for Golf Digest. I was going to try to qualify a littler closer to home, but that field was already closed by the time I went to sign up. I entered about four hours before the deadline. Then on the way there, I ran into some traffic problems and arrived 10 minutes before my tee time. I hit some five irons, five putts and then finished five under, so I guess it was a good omen."
The USGA received 2,810 entries for the 2008 U.S. Senior Open. The Senior Open is open to any professional or amateur with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4 who turns 50 on or before July 31, 2008. Sectional qualifying (18 holes) at 43 sites was conducted June 23 through July 7. There are 156 players in the championship field, comprised of 84 players advancing from sectional qualifying and 74 players exempt from sectional qualifying.
"It really hasn't hit me yet," Robinson said. "It will probably hit me when I get on the plane. Everyone here is excited and I have received lots of support from the club and our membership. My assistant superintendent, Tino Villagomez, is going to get his feet wet while I'm gone because I've never been gone for a week in the middle of the summer before."
Robinson, who is 55 and lives in Grayslake, Ill., won the 2004 GCSAA National Championship presented in partnership with The Toro Co. in San Diego. His peers, GCSAA certified golf course superintendent Fred Dickman, director of golf course maintenance at The Broadmoor Resort, and East Course superintendent Mike Sartori, will welcome Robinson and rest of the USGA Championship field to the longest course in U.S. Senior Open history at 7,254 yards across the Rocky Mountains.
"I look forward to seeing Fred Jr. again when I get out there," Robinson said. "We're both from Deerfield (Ill.) and I've known his father, Fred Sr., for 40 years. He was a teacher and coach at Deerfield High and still teaches at the Park District right across the street from here."
To learn more about the GCSAA, visit www.gcsaa.org.
