Vogel has more success at Dalhousie, qualifies for U.S. Amateur

T.J. Vogel says he feels right at home at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Vogel, who has area ties, made that familiarity pay off during Wednesday's second and final round of the U.S. Amateur Championship qualifier tournament.

Vogel's 2-under-par 69 gave him a 36-hole total of 1-under 141 and sends him to the U.S. Amateur Aug. 22 to 28 at Erin Hills, a public course in Wisconsin.

"I would have liked to have won but I'm really happy I got a spot," said Vogel, who finished second to nab one of the three qualifying berths.

Vogel, of Hollywood, Fla., won the elite AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions event at Dalhousie in 2009.

Justin Bryant of Clayton, Mo., tees off on the eighth hole during the second round of the U.S. Amateur qualifier tournament Wednesday at Dalhousie Golf Club. Bryant was the tournament medalist with a two-day score of 140 to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. (Kristin Eberts)

"I love the golf course. It sets up perfect for my game," Vogel said.

The first time Vogel had played Dalhousie since 2009 was during a practice round Monday, but it didn't take him long to get re-acquainted with the course.

"I just felt comfortable as soon as I stepped on the course again," Vogel said.

Vogel felt comfortable all the way around during the qualifier, including Tuesday when he fired a first-round 72. That had him two shots off the pace and trailing five golfers.

Vogel's father, Joe Vogel, is a native of Perryville. The family has quite a few relatives still in the region spanning from Perryville to Ste. Genevieve to St. Louis.

Justin Bryant, of Clayton, Mo., tees off on the 8th hole during the second day of the U.S. Amateur qualifying tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. (Kristin Eberts)

"That's why I came here for this qualifier, to see family," said Vogel, who has been staying with an uncle and aunt in Perryville this week.

Although Vogel finished one stroke out of the top spot, he tied for the tournament's best round with his 69. And he said it could have been considerably better.

"I missed some short putts down the stretch," said Vogel, who wound up three strokes ahead of the third-place finisher. "But I knew I was in a good position.

"The heat was almost unbearable. To post under par today, I'm happy."

Vogel played collegiately at Southern California the past two years but is transferring to Florida for his final two seasons of eligibility.

BELOW: First-round co-leader Ben Brumitt of Poplar Bluff, Mo., chips onto the seventh green during Wednesday's second round. Brumitt shot a 76 and finished eighth. (ABOVE: Brevin Giebler of Cape Girardeau putts on the sixth green Wednesday during the second round of the U.S. Amateur qualifier tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club. Giebler shot a second-round 77 and finished 10th.)

Vogel has his sights set on excelling at the major university in his home state. Before that, he achieved a big goal Wednesday.

"That was the No. 1 goal I had for this summer," he said about qualifying for the U.S. Amateur.

St. Louis native Justin Bryant earned medalist honors with consecutive rounds of 1-under 70 to finish at 2-under 140.

"I played well. I hit the ball well off the tee and kept it in the fairway for the most part," Bryant said.

Bryant, who will be a senior on the golf team at Wake Forest, said he enjoyed his initial crack at Dalhousie.

Ben Brumitt, of Poplar Bluff, chips onto the 7th green during the second day of the U.S. Amateur qualifying tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. (Kristin Eberts)

"My practice round Monday was the first time I'd played here," he said. "It's a great course."

Bryant, like Vogel, attained a major goal by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur.

"I couldn't be more happy," said Bryant, who plans to turn professional after college. "It was my biggest goal coming into the summer."

While Vogel and Bryant are young college golfers, relative elder statesmen Richard "Skip" Berkmeyer of St. Louis nabbed the third and final qualifying spot.

Berkmeyer and Jace Long of Dixon, Mo., shot identical rounds both days -- 74-70 for 144 -- and needed a playoff to decide things.

The 37-year-old Berkmeyer won on the second playoff hole.

"Jace and I played together all day. We're good friends," Berkmeyer said. "He probably played better than me. I felt fortunate to be in a playoff."

Asked what it was like to compete in the extreme heat against primarily young players in the 77-man field, a laughing Berkmeyer said, "I'm used to that."

He's also used to the U.S. Amateur. This marks his ninth time to qualify.

"But it never gets old," he said. "I love going to the national tournament."

Cape Girardeau's Brevin Giebler, who was in prime contention for a qualifying spot after Tuesdays' opening-round 71, fell off to a 77 on Wednesday and finished 10th.

First-round co-leader Ben Brumitt of Poplar Bluff, Mo., fell to eighth place after shooting a 5-over-par 76 on Wednesday. Brumitt was in a three-way tie for the lead after shooting a 1-under-par 70 in the opening round.

Carr Vernon, who will be a senior at Poplar Bluff High School, moved up the standings, following up a first-round 77 with a 73 to tie for 13th.