May 18, 2005

PORTLAND, Ore. - University of Portland head men's golf coach Bill Winter was one of five players among a field of 82 to advance to Sectional Qualifying for the 105th United States Open Championship, finishing tied for second place with a 2-under 70 at Riverside Golf & Country Club on Monday.

Winter advances to his second consecutive U.S. Open Sectional, after shooting a 67 in preliminary qualifying last year at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, Ore.

Amateur Carl Johnsen finished with a low score of 3-under 69 at the 6,626-yard, par 72 layout. Alex Williams joined Winter at 2-under, while Robert Garza and David Lebeck snagged the final two qualifying spots with rounds of 1-under.

The next stage for these qualifiers will be played at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie, Wash. on June 6.

The 105th U.S. Open will be held at Pinehurst Resort, in Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina on June 16-19, 2005. The USGA accepted a record 9,048 entries, eclipsing the old mark of 8,726 for the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The Championship is open top any professional golfer, and any amateur golfers with an official USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4.