Although Dublin Jerome golfer Evan Menges fell short of qualifying for the U.S. Open, he believes the experience will benefit him ahead of his senior season.
Menges competed in a 36-hole final qualifying event June 8 at the Lakes Golf and Country Club in Westerville, with the top four finishers advancing to the U.S. Open on June 18–21 at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
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After shooting 5-over-par 77 for the first 18 holes, Menges rebounded with a 71 to tie for 43rd at 4-over 148.
He was teamed with professional golfers Bud Cauley and Erik van Rooyen.
Dublin Jerome’s Evan Menges tees off at the 2025 Division I state tournament.
“Getting to play alongside two PGA Tour pros in Bud Cauley and Erik van Rooyen was an awesome experience to test my game against some of the best,” Menges said. “I learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of and what I still need to improve on. I know this will help me with my future tournaments and events.”
Davis Thompson won the event at 11-under 133. Ohio State sophomore Vaughn Harber, a DeSales graduate, qualified for the U.S. Open by finishing in a three-way tie for second (135).
“I’m very proud of Evan,” Jerome coach Brad Sparling said. “Playing with two PGA Tour pros for two rounds was a great experience. He looked like he belonged out there. He hit it in the rough off the tee a few times in the morning round, and it’s hard to score with those tucked pins when you do that. He had a great second round, though. He showed lots of grit and just handled himself beautifully under that pressure.”
A key contributor to Jerome’s Division I state championship last fall, Menges advanced to the Lakes by winning a local qualifier April 27 at Four Bridges Country Club in suburban Cincinnati. He shot a bogey-free 64, finishing 8-under par.
Menges tied for seventh (146) at state last fall as Jerome won its 10th championship and first since 2019.
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio high school golfer Evan Menges falls short in bid for U.S. Open