Shawnee’s Bergstol Places In The Local Qualifying Rounds

Friday, May 09, 2008(Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania) — Brian Bergstol, Shawnee’s Assistant Golf Professional wins in the first round of the U.S. Open Championship’s local qualifying round, in Bedens Brook Club, Skillman, N.J., yesterday, Thursday, May 08, 2008.

Approximately 93 golfers tried out, each required to have a one or below handicap. The top six elite players were selected in the local qualifying round. Bergstol tied for first place with the lowest score – given the honorary of a co-medalist in this tournament.

Rank	Player Name	Overall	Front	Back	Total
T1	Brian Bergstol, Mount Bethel, Pa.	Even	38	34	72
T1	Jim Famula, Basking Ridge, N.J.	Even	37	35	72
T3	Frank Esposito, Monroe, N.J.	+1	37	36	73
T3	(a) Robert Cronheim, Watchung, N.J.	+1	38	35	73
T5	Mark Yannotta, Whippany, N.J.	+2	37	37	74*
T5	Josh Immordino, Auburn, Wash.	+2	37	37	74*

So what does this mean for Bergstol? He is now off to The Members Club at Four Streams, in Beallsville, Maryland, on June 2nd. Here he will compete with 80-100 players, where a dozen or so will make it to the U.S. Open from this tournament. Though 50 some golfers are exempt for the qualifying rounds, another 100 plus have a chance to play in the Open. Bergstol definitely has a great chance.

He is a graduate of Moravian College where he majored in economics and finance. In addition to academics, he also led Moravian’s golf team in points four years in a row earning the title of captain both his junior and senior years.

Though his college career may seem stunning, in 2006 alone Bergstol claimed over 16 different tournament wins including the Lehigh Valley Amateur Championships, where he won five of six tournaments setting club records in four. There is no doubt that Brian’s success in the Lehigh Valley contributed to his nomination as the Lehigh Valley Player of the Year for the last two years running.

Brian began playing golf later than most of his colleagues. At age 15 he was competing against golfers that were more experienced than him. Unlike Bergstol who taught himself golf, many of his competitors also took lessons and were coached by local golf professionals.

Shawnee Country Club was his high school’s course, and it is also where he formed a relationship with the resort. Since then, Brian has been working in the golf shop giving lessons and sharpening his own game.

Shawnee is very proud of Brian and wishes him much success on June 2nd’s rounds. For interviews call (570) 424-4000 x1272. For more information about the Shawnee Inn visit www.shawneeinn.com. To view the complete list of players and scores from the May 8^th Qualifying Rounds visit: www.mgagolf.org

For more information or to schedule an interview with Shawnee’s management; please contact Jeromy Wo, Public Relations Coordinator at: (570) 424-4050 ext. 1409 or visit ShawneeInn.com.