County golfers to compete at U.S. Open qualifier

THE REPORTER

Two Hamilton County golfers have advanced to final qualifying to compete for a place in this year’s U.S. Open.

Westfield’s Eric Steger and Fishers’ Cole Starnes tied for fourth at Tuesday’s USGA U.S. Open Local Qualifier, which took place at The Hawthorns in Fishers. Both men scored a two-under par 70 in their respective round.

Steger played golf for Noblesville High School and Ball State University. Starnes is a senior at Hamilton Southeastern and has committed to play golf at Indiana University.

Steger and Starnes were among five players to advance from the qualifier. They will have a choice of 11 final qualifying sites with most of these qualifiers taking place on June 5. The U.S. Open takes place from June 15 to 18 at The Los Angeles Country Club.