Opperman of Pawleys Island makes ace to qualify for U.S. Mid-Am

Tee Opperman of Pawleys Island could not have qualified for the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in a more spectacular way on Monday.

Opperman shot a 2-under-par 70 in a qualifier at the 6,633-yard Country Club of Lexington to get into a six-man playoff for the final three of five available qualifying spots.

He was one of five players to birdie the par-5 first hole, then hit last on the tee of the 159-yard par-5 second hole. Rob Simmons of Beaufort had knocked his tee shot to 2 feet. Opperman hit an 8-iron that landed next to it and rolled into the cup for a hole in one.

He couldn’t see the ball go in behind a knoll, but realized he made an ace when people around the green started yelling.

“There were like 15 people around the hole and they went crazy,” Opperman said. “If you’re going to make one, in a playoff in a tournament is a good time to do it. It’s a lucky shot but I’ll take it.”

The ace is Opperman’s fourth but first in competition.

Opperman, 34, who works at Akers Discount Golf in Murrells Inlet, has attempted to qualify for the Mid-Am every year since he turned 25 to become eligible.

“To get in any way is great, but to get in that way is pretty sweet and unique,” he said.

The 35th U. S. Mid-Am will be played Oct. 3-8 at the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla. The winner earns a spot into the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. “That’s the mid-amateur dream,” said Opperman, who finished second earlier this summer in the Carolinas Mid-Amateur.

The other players advancing through the 73-player qualifier Monday were medalist Thomas Todd of Laurens, who shot a 66, runner-up Rob Butler of Atlanta, who shot a 69, and Simmons and Travis Steed of Macon, Ga., who both birdied the par-3 second hole.

The alternates are Trevor Balliet of Martinez, Ga., and Chris Eassy of Greer. A handful of players from the Grand Strand participated.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Opperman of Pawleys Island makes ace to qualify for U.S. Mid-Am."