Ardee man Ben Phipps is set to make his second successive U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship appearance after successfully navigating the qualifying stage at Bear Creek Golf Club in California.
After finishing as leading qualifier at the same venue to make his USGA Championship debut last year, Phipps returned and overcame a couple of early bogeys to play the final 10 holes in five-under-par and finish solo third at -4, with just three qualification places on offer.
He did all his damage in a four-hole stretch, eagling the ninth, then reeling off a hat-trick of birdies to start the back nine before closing with six consecutive pars.
Having studied at Luther College in Iowa and been a standout performer on the Norse Men’s Golf Team during his four years, twice leading the team in season-long scoring average and twice being awarded all-conference honours, Phipps took up a role with TaylorMade where he continues to work as a Senior Financial Analyst at the company’s headquarters in Carslbad, California.
Ronan Phipps, Ben’s father, said that his eldest son was delighted to have qualified and was very much looking forward to competing in his second U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship which takes the world’s leading amateur golfers over the age of 25 to Sand Valley in Wisconsin in late September.
“Yeah, he was delighted,” Ronan explained. “To be honest, he was targeting it and knew that he’d have a good chance going back to Bear Creek where he finished tied for first last year and got his first U.S. Mid-Am opportunity.
“That was held in Arizona, and we all made the trip over to it which was amazing, but it was extremely hot – they were playing in 42-degree heat – so it’s a better opportunity this year in Wisconsin, at Sand Valley, so a great course and weather a lot closer to what we’re used to.
“And we’re well used to that part of America. Ben went to college in Iowa and Idaho, and Ben’s younger brother Jack, who’s now working as an Assistant Coach at a college in Kentucky, went to college in Idaho as well.
“So we’ve been over there several times for graduations and whatnot and it’s a lovely part of the world. Real America, if you know what I mean. So we’re really looking forward to going over again.”
Harley Phipps, the youngest of the three brothers, is on a gap year having just completed his Leaving Certificate, and the regular competitor on the Irish Amateur circuit could be in line for a caddying role with his eldest brother for the week.
“He’ll probably make the trip and caddie for him,” Ronan admitted. “That’s usually what we do if he gets into a nice, high-profile tournament, because it’s a nice bit of experience for him as well.”
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