Seven punch tickets to final U.S. Senior Open qualifying
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • April 23, 2025
INDIANA — The first Western Pennsylvania-based USGA qualifying event of 2025 could not have been played under better — and yet still challenging — conditions.
With cloudless, sun-drenched skies, temperatures in the mid-70’s and light wind, Indiana Country Club saw seven players emerge from the field to secure spots in Final Qualifying for the 45th U.S. Senior Open Championship this summer.
The low scorer medal honor was earned by Haymarket, Virginia native Scott Shingler, who shot a 2-under 69 to edge out Jeff Mallette by a stroke.
“I stuck with a game plan, picked my spots into the green and played aggressively to those spots,” said Shingler, who made the four-hour drive to Indiana a day prior. “And I executed shots.”
Shingler’s round started with a bang, as he eagled the 566-yard Par 5 opening hole in impressive fashion.
“I flared a driver into the bunker but had a decent lie,” said Shingler. “I hit a hybrid up there. I was just trying to feed it onto the green and let it run back to the pin. It managed to come out well and I hit my spot. Once it was on the green, I putted it and just watched it track right to the hole. It was great to get to 2-under through one (hole).”
Shingler, 53, went on to par the next two holes before a birdie on the put him at 3-under through four holes — a significant opening against a field that managed only two players under par for the day.
“This is my third time here,” said Shingler, already an accomplished senior play in Virginia with champion and runner-up finishes in the VSGA Senior Amateur Championship the last two years. “So I knew that I still had to get the ball in the fairway. If you’re in the rough, it’s going to be tough to hold shots on the green. The greens are so quick."
And that sentiment was echoed by competitors throughout the day. Indiana Country Club, despite it still being quite early in the season, played as challenging as possible.
“The course was in phenomenal shape,” added Shingler. “Walking up 18, I felt like I had been playing defense all day with as firm as the greens are. I’ve played in a bunch of USGA events, and I don’t think I’ve ever played greens as fast as what I played today."
Shingler will travel a little further to play the Final Qualifying round for the U.S. Senior Open. Because of a family wedding, he will not be able to play in an event close to Northern Virginia and instead will compete at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida on June 12.
In addition to Shingler and Mallette — who birdied the final two holes of his round — Curtis Knight, Jeffrey Schmigel and James Wingerter all qualified regulation for Final Qualifying.
In a playoff, Scott Ford and Matthew Ferguson both clinched spots in the next round of qualification, while Arnold Cutrell and Parry Apostolopoulos earned alternate positions.
The 45th U.S. Senior Open Championship will be played at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, CO from June 26-29. Final Qualifying rounds will take place in May and June.
To see all of the round’s results, click here. (GGID: 25USSROPENQ)
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.