GRGC Head Pro Qualifies for U.S. Open
6/8/2023 10:18:00 AM | General
Svoboda Playing LACC and then Travelers
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The head professional at Sacred Heart's Great River Golf Club has qualified for the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
Andy Svoboda, who joined the GRGC this spring, shot 67-70-137 to grab the final spot in U.S. Open qualifying at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., on June 5.
"I started off slow in the first round and then caught fire on the back nine," said the 43-year-old from Westchester (N.Y.) County who graduated from St. John's in 2003.
Svoboda made six birdies on the back side of the opening round to card a 30 and a 67 going into the afternoon. He had a triple bogey on the first hole of the second round and then three-putted the second hole to go four over before turning it around with four birdies on the back.
"I birdied 16 and 18 to force a playoff and then birdied the first playoff hole," said Svoboda, who shot a 69 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J., on May 2 in local qualifying.
This will be his fifth U.S. Open. Svoboda, who has played one "fun" round at LACC but never a tournament, competed in 2006 at Winged Foot, in 2008 at Torrey Pines (his best Open), at Beth Page State Park (Black) in 2009 and the 2013 Open at Merion Golf Club. He goes to Los Angeles for the June 15-18 major and then comes home to compete in the 2023 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands.
GRGC's new pro has plenty of teaching experience. He was at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, N.Y., and was an assistant pro at La Gorce Country Club in Miami, Fla.
As an amateur, Svoboda advanced to the semifinals of the 2004 U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot. He also won 14 college events at St. John's, including the 2001 Big East Championship. He turned pro in 2004 and competed on both the Web.com (now Korn Ferry Tour) Tour and PGA Tour.
He owns 10 professional victories, including three on the Web.com circuit, the last coming in the 2016 Brasil Champions. His best finish on the PGA Tour was a share of second in the 2014 Zurich Classic. He has won the Met Open as both an amateur (2003) and a pro (2018). Svoboda also twice captured the New York State Open (2007, 2018).
Svoboda was asked when he is heading West to prepare for the major tournament and said, "We've got a big member/member tournament this weekend here [at GRGC], so some time after that."
The Open can wait.
Andy Svoboda, who joined the GRGC this spring, shot 67-70-137 to grab the final spot in U.S. Open qualifying at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., on June 5.
"I started off slow in the first round and then caught fire on the back nine," said the 43-year-old from Westchester (N.Y.) County who graduated from St. John's in 2003.
Svoboda made six birdies on the back side of the opening round to card a 30 and a 67 going into the afternoon. He had a triple bogey on the first hole of the second round and then three-putted the second hole to go four over before turning it around with four birdies on the back.
"I birdied 16 and 18 to force a playoff and then birdied the first playoff hole," said Svoboda, who shot a 69 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J., on May 2 in local qualifying.
This will be his fifth U.S. Open. Svoboda, who has played one "fun" round at LACC but never a tournament, competed in 2006 at Winged Foot, in 2008 at Torrey Pines (his best Open), at Beth Page State Park (Black) in 2009 and the 2013 Open at Merion Golf Club. He goes to Los Angeles for the June 15-18 major and then comes home to compete in the 2023 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands.
GRGC's new pro has plenty of teaching experience. He was at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, N.Y., and was an assistant pro at La Gorce Country Club in Miami, Fla.
As an amateur, Svoboda advanced to the semifinals of the 2004 U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot. He also won 14 college events at St. John's, including the 2001 Big East Championship. He turned pro in 2004 and competed on both the Web.com (now Korn Ferry Tour) Tour and PGA Tour.
He owns 10 professional victories, including three on the Web.com circuit, the last coming in the 2016 Brasil Champions. His best finish on the PGA Tour was a share of second in the 2014 Zurich Classic. He has won the Met Open as both an amateur (2003) and a pro (2018). Svoboda also twice captured the New York State Open (2007, 2018).
Svoboda was asked when he is heading West to prepare for the major tournament and said, "We've got a big member/member tournament this weekend here [at GRGC], so some time after that."
The Open can wait.
Saturday, December 06
Tuesday, April 16
Friday, March 08
Friday, February 23
